Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Taxation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Downingtown Area SD board adopts $313.2M budget, sets 33.0268‑mill real estate tax rate
Summary
The Downingtown Area School District board approved the 2026–27 general fund budget of $313,215,021 and set a real estate tax rate of 33.0268 mills at its May 13 meeting, following administration recommendations and discussion of revenue, debt restructuring and projected deficit reductions.
The Downingtown Area School District board on May 13 adopted a $313,215,021 general fund budget for the 2026–27 school year and approved a 33.0268‑mill real estate tax rate.
Superintendent Dr. Robert O'Donnell introduced the administration's financial presentation and turned the detailed budget briefing over to Brian, the district finance lead, who said administration recommended a 3.5% millage increase to reduce a previously projected deficit. Brian told the board that local revenue accounts for about 75.7% of the district's revenue (roughly $235 million), state revenue about 23.2% (about $71.7 million) and federal/other revenue about 1.1%.
The district reported having started the budget process with an estimated deficit near $13.5 million and used debt restructuring (saving roughly $2 million) and operational and labor savings (a bit more than $2 million) to chip away at the shortfall. With the recommended 3.5% tax rate increase, administration projected a $2.76 million deficit for 2026–27.
Board members asked whether federal special education funding was secure; Brian said those federal funds are currently routed through the state and being received but cautioned that organizational changes at the state level could alter distribution.
The board also adopted the homestead/farmstead amount at $354.38, approved continuation of earned income, real estate transfer and local service taxes for 2026–27, and appointed Birkheimer Tax Innovations as deputy real estate tax collector for the coming year. The board approved stipulation agreements that resulted from negotiations with property owners; those settlements will reduce annual property tax revenue by $136,399, per the district report.
Several related finance motions carried without recorded roll call tallies in the transcript. President Bloss called the motions and the board indicated approval.
The administration noted the budget remains contingent on the final state budget and housing growth numbers, which could affect local revenues during the remainder of the process. The board set the final adopted tax rate and budget at the May 13 meeting; next steps include implementation actions and continued monitoring of state budget outcomes.
Ending — The board took the vote on the budget and tax motions at the May 13 meeting; the district will proceed with implementation and continue to report updates as state budget information and local property growth data are finalized.
