Upper Dublin finance committee advances proposed final budget with 3.5% tax increase; committee weighs Jarretttown gym changes

The Upper Dublin School District Finance Committee on May 13 reviewed a proposed final budget for the 2026–27 school year that would raise property taxes by 3.5% and keep a $3.0 million planned transfer to the district’s capital reserve, leaving a budgeted deficit of about $3.5 million.

Treasurer Andy, presenting the monthly financials, said revenue for the coming year is budgeted at $127.9 million against $128.4 million in expenditures, with an operational deficit of roughly $500,000 before the capital transfer. "We have flexibility in timing on the capital transfer," Andy said, explaining that the $3 million is a budget placeholder that can be adjusted before the final budget is adopted. He noted the district's beginning unassigned fund balance is sufficient to cover the projected gap but warned that repeated use of reserves is not a sustainable long-term strategy.

The presentation highlighted two offsetting developments: a large reassessment for 1125 Virginia Drive that adds about $11 million in assessed value and roughly $450,000 in recurring tax revenue, and ongoing commercial assessment appeals that the district projects could reduce revenue by about $1.6 million. Andy said refunding of the district’s bonds contributed roughly $300,000 in one‑year savings that were included in projections.

Staffing changes described by the administration add several targeted positions — including an autistic-support elementary position, a Wilson reading instructor at the secondary level and an additional elementary gifted teacher — while district reassignments and lower secondary course demand produced a net reduction of about 0.4 full‑time equivalent. The administration characterized those staffing moves as primarily internal reallocations that have little or no net budgetary impact.

The committee discussed budgetary risk areas including special education, where costs have grown, and timing uncertainty for interim tax revenue from new developments. Andy said the district's policy target for unassigned fund balance (Board Policy 620) is between 5% and 8% of budgeted expenditures; under the current projections the projected unassigned fund balance would be near the low end of that range but remain sufficient to cover next year’s gap.

The board also reviewed long‑range capital planning tied to the Jarretttown Elementary project. Andy said debt‑service estimates for Jarretttown could require approximately $5 million across several years; the district currently holds about $5.3 million in a debt service fund and plans to use those resources to smooth the financing impact.

Public comment and design considerations surfaced in the meeting when parent and Fort Washington resident Dave Fri urged the board to reconsider the current Jarretttown gym design. Fri criticized the planned court dimensions and fixed 9‑foot sidewall baskets in the renderings and urged either a full‑size court comparable to Maple Glenn or adjustable baskets and more spectator seating. Board members acknowledged the concern and said the architectural plans meet elementary athletic standards but agreed to examine the cost implications — "puts and takes" — of increasing gym size or adding bleachers before finalizing the design.

The committee voted to move the proposed final budget forward for public advertisement (the formal adoption vote is scheduled for the June legislative meeting after a 30‑day public notice period). No formal roll‑call tally was recorded in the committee discussion; staff characterized approvals taken during the meeting as by consensus or voice vote.

Next steps: the board will advertise the proposed final budget for 30 days and return to the full board in June for final adoption. Staff said additional details on Jarretttown design options and any cost deltas would be provided before final design decisions are made.