Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Gettysburg Area SD board hears budget update; staff will advertise 4.2% maximum while preferring 3.5% option
Loading...
Summary
District staff presented an updated 2026–27 budget showing an $83 million expenditure plan and a revenue shortfall; staff will advertise a proposed final budget at a 4.2% tax index (the maximum) while recommending a 3.5% option to limit one-time use of assigned funds. The board scheduled public hearings and asked for more detailed tax-impact estimates.
Belinda, the district staff presenter, told the Gettysburg Area School District Board that administrators will advertise a proposed final budget using a 4.2 percent maximum index while planning to seek a lower final rate after public input and additional data. “We will prepare an action item for an increase of proposed final of 4.2%…and then we will have all the necessary documents on for display for 30 days,” Belinda said.
The presentation framed the budget shortfall: baseline revenues without fund-balance draws were presented at roughly $80.8 million, while expenditures are near $83 million. Belinda described three modeled tax-rate scenarios and the unreconciled gaps they leave: a 1 percent increase would leave roughly $1.8 million unmet, a 3.5 percent scenario reduces the gap to about $850,000, and a 4.2 percent scenario reduces it to approximately $285,000. She said the district does not intend to use unassigned fund balance and emphasized that using assigned funds is a one-time remedy.
Board members heard a breakdown of the largest cost drivers: the special-education comprehensive plan (adding two social workers and an additional special-education supervisor split between elementary and secondary), a proposed classified technology position, contractual salary and service increases, and continuing ACTI commitments. Belinda also identified a one-time proration from PCERS/PIECERS committed funds of $272,590 as a partial offset and described the capital-reserve assignment of roughly $1.23 million available for use if the board so chooses.
Members asked for clarity on process and timing. The board president confirmed key calendar dates: the board will advertise a proposed final at the April 20 meeting, hold a public hearing on May 4, discuss further on May 18 and target final adoption by June 1. Belinda said the district will provide a household-impact calculator once Homestead/Farmstead assessment numbers are available, likely in May.
Board member Dave proposed holding a special administrative meeting one hour before the next board meeting to review options, arguing that using assigned funds is “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” The motion was placed on the record but did not receive an immediate second; the president noted the board’s existing May meeting schedule provides multiple opportunities for deliberation.
Next steps: staff will place the proposed-final (4.2% maximum) budget on public display, prepare the impact calculator for members and the public after Homestead/Farmstead numbers are released, and return to the board for additional deliberations during scheduled May meetings before the June 1 vote.
