Marple Newtown committee previews $3.9 million gap in proposed 2026–27 budget; April 28 vote planned

The Marple Newtown School Board’s budget and finance committee on April 14 reviewed a proposed 2026–27 final budget that administration said would leave the district about $3.9 million short of a structurally balanced budget without new revenue or one-time funds. The board will be asked to accept the proposed final budget at the April 28 voting meeting; state rules require a 30-day public-inspection period before final adoption, which the administration said will likely push a final vote to June 23, 2026 unless the board schedules an earlier special meeting.

Dom, a district staff member leading the presentation, said the shortfall reflects a combination of revenue declines and rising costs. "The school district would need just shy of $4 million or $3.9 million to balance a budget," he said, and added that a 3.5% levy increase at the Act 1 index would still leave "a shortfall of around $850,000." The…