Presenter proposes 3.9% tax increase to fund Downingtown Area SD budget and full‑day kindergarten rollout

Presenter S2 proposed a 3.9% tax increase for 2024–25 to shore up the district’s construction reserves and begin implementing full‑day kindergarten in 2025–26. "What we're proposing for tonight is a tax increase of 3.9% for next year," Presenter S2 said, linking the increase to a plan for transfers into capital and program startup costs.

The presenters said the district projects to end the current school year with about a $1.3 million positive fund balance and estimated a 3.9% increase would yield a roughly $4.2 million fund balance next year. Under the revised plan, administrators proposed transferring $5.7 million into capital in 2024–25, about $1.7 million in 2025–26 and $2.4 million in 2026–27, and setting aside roughly $2 million to launch full‑day kindergarten staffing in 2025–26.

Presenter…