Centennial School District adopts preliminary 2026–27 budget using 3.5% index; projected $7M shortfall

The Centennial School District Board of School Directors voted unanimously Feb. 17 to adopt a preliminary 2026–27 general fund budget that uses the 3.5% Act 1 tax index. The motion passed 9–0.

Mister Greenwood, presenting the figures, told the board, "The preliminary budget is a 154,118,000 with expenses of a 161,181,000 for a deficit of just over $7,000,000." He said the approval is an interim, legally required step; "Once that's done, I will run home, and we will file the preliminary budget, and get that online for PDE."

Why it matters: adopting a preliminary budget that applies the 3.5% index lets the district meet state Act 1 procedural deadlines. It does not by itself set final tax bills for individual property owners; the board chair clarified that using the index on the preliminary document "does not mean you are getting a 3.5% tax increase." Final levies and calculations will be completed later in the budget process.

Board discussion on the budget at the meeting focused on transparency about per‑pupil costs. One board member asked for additional breakdowns of the district's average per‑student figure, saying, "we're looking at a number of $22,000 on average for Centennial, but I would say that the numbers for [special education], English as a second language, and economically disadvantaged students are substantially higher." The superintendent agreed to provide metrics on student counts and average costs for those groups.

The vote and next steps: the board approved the motion to adopt the preliminary budget and will file it with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to satisfy Act 1 requirements; the preliminary budget remains subject to revision before final adoption.