Hatboro‑Horsham officials outline a multi‑million dollar draft budget gap and next steps

Hatboro‑Horsham School District leaders on April 13 presented a detailed draft of the 2026–27 budget and described a multi‑million dollar gap that the administration plans to narrow before board consideration.

District presenters said the draft budget projects revenues and planned use of fund balance at roughly $136 million against projected expenditures near $144.9 million, creating a draft deficit in the neighborhood of $9 million. Stone, the district presenter, said that a 3.5% real estate tax increase would generate additional revenue and reduce the remaining gap to just under $5.7 million, though final tax rate decisions and further reductions will be made before final adoption in June.

Officials attributed the deficit to external factors — rising special education costs, increased health care and retirement contributions, inflationary pressures on devices and utilities, and commercial property assessment appeals that reduced the taxable base by about $80 million — and to some district cost choices such as expanded contracted staffing for special education. The presenters emphasized a disciplined, line‑by‑line process to reduce the gap while aiming to avoid cutting core student programming.

Administrators identified potential reductions already in view: better‑than‑expected e‑rate reimbursements (reported at 60% vs historical 50%) and lower equipment bids that may reduce network infrastructure expense; they also flagged that final health care rate information will be received in May. The administration will present a proposed final budget to the board at the April 27 legislative meeting and return for final adoption in June.