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East Penn board advances proposed 2026–27 budget with 4.1% tax increase, identifies targeted reductions
Summary
The East Penn School District board voted April 27 to advance a proposed final 2026–27 budget that includes a 4.1% Act 1 real-estate tax increase; administration outlined roughly $622,000 in potential reductions and options to slightly lower the tax increase before final adoption in June.
East Penn School District officials on April 27 moved the proposed final 2026–27 budget forward for public advertisement and further refinement, preserving the district's statutory timeline for final adoption in June.
Administration described the budget before the board as "balanced" on paper but said pressures remain because of a structural deficit. The version the board advanced includes a 4.1% real-estate tax increase tied to the district’s Act 1 index. "Tonight's action is consideration of the proposed final budget," Dr. Campbell said, adding that "the proposed final budget is not the final budget" and will continue to evolve.
Business manager Mr. Saul outlined a two‑pronged strategy to reduce long-term pressure: use identified operational savings to lower the tax increase slightly in one scenario to 3.9% and restore a portion of the capital reserve contribution. Administration said it had identified approximately $622,000 in reductions, including department budget trims of roughly $150,000, two facilities positions and two contracted professional staff positions that would be eliminated through attrition. Those changes, officials said, would be implemented through retirements or resignations rather than layoffs.
Board members debated the tradeoffs between immediate tax relief and preserving programs. "If we try really hard to level that impact, that no one area is hit harder than another," one board member said. Dr. Levinson, who opposed programmatic cuts beyond administration’s recommendations, said he would support advancing the budget procedurally to keep the district on its timeline.
The procedural motion to advance the proposed final budget and the property tax rebate program passed on a roll-call tally recorded as seven yes votes. Administration will post the PDE 2028 budget document for public inspection and return to the board with updated figures and the impact of any direction given at a subsequent meeting. Final budget adoption is scheduled for the board's June meeting; real-estate tax notices must be prepared before July 1.
Votes at a glance - Motion to advance the proposed final 2026–27 budget (procedural): approved (7 yes).
