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Radnor preliminary 2025‑26 budget shows small structural gap; board debates using 4% Act 1 index
Summary
District finance staff presented a preliminary $124.9 million 2025‑26 budget with a narrowed shortfall and proposed use of the Act 1 4% millage index; board members debated whether to use the full 4% increase or a more modest rise given state and federal funding uncertainty.
District finance staff presented the district’s preliminary 2025‑26 budget on March 25, outlining revenue assumptions, projected fund balances and a proposed use of the Act 1 index that would allow up to a 4% real estate tax increase.
The presenter, Mr. Pauling, said administration narrowed an earlier projected shortfall from roughly $611,000 to about $198,704 through adjustments to investment earnings assumptions, transportation subsidy estimates, community college costs and reductions in buildings and grounds expenditures. He described the district’s combined fund balances—about $35 million—as available for technology, curriculum, capital projects and reserves.
The proposed FY25‑26 budget totals approximately $124,929,002.52 and includes a 4% proposed increase in the real‑estate tax millage rate, an item board members discussed at length. Pauling emphasized that local revenue (real‑estate taxes and transfer taxes) remains the largest funding source and that state and federal funding changes have limited upward impact on the district’s overall budget.
Board members split over the millage approach. Ms. Solomon and others urged caution and requested alternative homeowner impact scenarios at 2%, 3% and 4% for the April meeting; Ms. Stern and other members argued using the full 4% while the Act 1 index is near its peak would provide prudent reserves given national and state funding uncertainty. One board member framed the choice as a tradeoff between short‑term taxpayer burden and longer‑term financial stability and bond‑rating protection.
The administration said it will present a refined proposed final budget to the finance committee on April 8 and that the board must post a proposed final budget at least 30 days before the scheduled May 27 final approval. No final millage decision was made March 25; the board directed administration to provide more homeowner impact scenarios and additional detail on potential budget reductions.
Next steps: finance committee review on April 8, public comment opportunities as required by state law, and a May 27 target for final budget approval.
