Elizabethtown board approves preliminary 2026–27 budget, sets 30‑day advertising period

The Elizabethtown Area School District board voted to approve the preliminary 2026–27 budget and to post the proposed final budget for a 30‑day public comment period, the board president said.

Tom Strickler, who presented the financial plan, said total collections for 2026–27 — including local, state and federal sources — are projected at $84,782,568. He told the board that after savings from unfilled positions, an early retirement package and proposed contract adjustments the district’s previously projected $2.1 million deficit has been reduced to about $261,000. He also said the district is maintaining a building reserve (identified in presentation materials at roughly $1,180,762) and a $500,000 operating contingency.

The vote to seek approval of the preliminary budget and the advertising resolution passed on roll call. During the roll call on the motion one board member, Missus Lindemuth, voted 'No'; all others recorded 'Yes.' The board will accept public comments during the advertising period and return June 9 for final budget approval.

Why it matters: The preliminary approval begins a 30‑day public display and is a compliance step before a final vote. Strickler said numbers can still be adjusted between now and final adoption in June, and that the administration intends to continue seeking line‑item changes to close the remaining gap.

Board members and public commenters framed the discussion around the district’s long‑term fiscal health and tradeoffs between near‑term savings and program and staffing cuts. Multiple speakers urged the board to consider revenue options and long‑range planning rather than repeated short‑term reductions.

The next step: The district will post the proposed final budget for 30 days as required, accept public comment and return to the board for a final vote on June 9.