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Conestoga Valley board previews 2026–27 budget, flags enrollment decline and rising costs
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Summary
District staff told the board the 2026–27 budget will face pressure from enrollment declines, rising health‑insurance and special‑education costs, and limited referendum options; staff cited an Act 1 index of 3.5% and projected some savings from cyber tuition reform.
District staff presented a preview of the 2026–27 budget at the April 13 Conestoga Valley Board meeting, describing constrained revenue options and rising operating costs.
Adele (district staff) said the Act 1 index for 2026–27 is 3.5% and noted the district can no longer seek certain referendum or special‑education exceptions because it receives the Ready to Learn adequacy supplement. "Act 1 index is 3.5%," she said; staff described that as a starting constraint for local tax‑rate adjustments.
Adele reported enrollment has been declining for about four years and estimated the district is losing roughly 1–2% of students annually ("less than 100 students" per year was offered as a memory estimate). She said planned and ongoing capital work includes wrapping up Loyola Elementary, starting Fritz Elementary renovations, and pursuing state facility grants for chillers and roof work.
On revenues, she noted local new development (several apartment/condo projects) could increase assessed value but the timing and enrollment impact are uncertain. Adele flagged other budget pressures: teacher salaries tied to the contract (about 4% annual increases), rising health‑insurance claims for the district’s self‑funded plan, and continuing growth in special‑education costs. She said cyber‑tuition reform in the 2025–26 state budget should reduce cyber tuition expenditures by roughly $200,000, but the district has about 97 students currently enrolled in outside cyber schools, which offsets some of the savings.
Dr. Hartman also summarized the district’s contribution to the IU 13 general operating budget ($45,299.40), noting the IU formula uses average daily membership.
Staff said they will return with more detailed budget figures next week and encouraged board members to review the updated materials before the first reading.
