Preliminary 2026–27 budget presented; district projects 3.5% tax-related increase and gaps to address

Centennial School District staff presented a preliminary budget overview at the Feb. 10 meeting as the board moves through the Act 1 timeline after voting not to adopt an accelerated opt-out. The presenter emphasized several times that the plan shown is preliminary and not a final budget or an automatic tax increase.

"This budget is referred to as the preliminary because it is the preliminary. It's an interim legally required step," the presenter said, summarizing the Act 1 requirements and the reporting steps that follow. A special meeting was scheduled for Feb. 17 to continue budget work.

Key numbers presented: the preliminary plan assumed a 3.5% increase (described as a real-estate-tax-related increase), projected total revenues of $154,118,000 and expenditures of about $161,181,000. Staff described state and federal revenues as flat or declining, and noted labor costs will rise with collective bargaining agreements and health trust increases.

The presenter outlined next steps, including adopting the preliminary budget (due by Feb. 18 under the Act 1 schedule), posting and submitting required documents to PDE, and then following the public and board review process through May and a final budget by June 30. Staff stressed targeted, line-by-line zero-based reviews will continue in the coming months.

Board members asked clarifying questions about overnight trips and other routine consent items during the meeting; none of those questions changed the budget assumptions presented.