Athens Area SD board adopts 2025–26 budget, approves roughly three‑mill tax increase

The Athens Area School District board voted on June 17 to adopt the district’s final 2025–26 general fund budget and a tax increase described in the meeting as about three mills.

Dr. Stage, the district superintendent, presented the final budget, calling it “our final budget for 2526” and outlining the drivers behind the proposal. He said the district is facing a roughly $3 million decline in its local tax base and must account for the loss of $1.5 million in one‑time revenue and the exhaustion of ESSER federal funds. To narrow an initial $4.3 million projected shortfall, the budget includes reductions, reliance on assigned fund balance and a proposed 3.14‑mill tax increase “to address the gap.”

The superintendent highlighted cost pressures: roughly 72% of the district’s expenditures go to salaries and benefits; healthcare costs are projected to increase about 8.2%; and a 2.5% salary increase is reflected in the plan. Dr. Stage said the district reduced the deficit to approximately $2.75 million and will cover the remainder through assigned fund balance and healthcare reserves, noting an estimated fund balance decline from about $7.9 million to roughly $4.85 million by June 30, 2026.

Board members thanked district staff for the work on the budget and pressed for longer‑term planning. They raised concerns about charter‑school costs as a continuing pressure against local budgets; one board member cited an email alleging substantial advertising spending by some cyber charter operators and said the district had charged about $1.5 million for cyber charter tuition so far this year. Those points were discussed as budget context rather than part of the board’s motion.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the minutes from May 13 and May 28 (unanimous); adopted the 2025–26 general fund final budget (roll call recorded in the meeting: Mr. Johnson — yes; Mr. Jones — yes; Mrs. Minnik — yes; Mrs. Smart — yes; Mr. Cherowski — yes; Mr. Frisbee — yes); approved financial business items (checks, reports and resolutions); approved personnel items except for two coaching appointments (E12 and E14), which were tabled pending discussion with the affected coach who is a candidate for the board; approved contracts and agreements (A–K) including substitute services, special‑education intergovernmental agreements and the Fitness with Friends contract (board approved with the option to amend later); accepted a slate of policy first reads (A–M, including an AI policy) to return as second reads next month; and approved the AP Biology textbook recommendation (the board authorized purchase, with the teacher and committee to finalize e‑book versus hard copy).

The board emphasized that some items—particularly the two personnel appointments tied to a candidate for elected office—were tabled or separated for additional discussion to avoid conflicts of interest. The meeting closed with a reminder that the board will meet again on July 8 and that an executive session would follow for safety, personnel and legal matters with no decisions expected.

What happens next: the budget is now adopted and will take effect in the 2025–26 fiscal year. Board members said staff will continue to monitor state funding developments (the superintendent noted uncertainty around the Commonwealth’s final budget) and other external factors that could affect the district’s revenues and reserves.