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Abington board adopts $216 million proposed final budget, sets millage and referendum exception details
Summary
The Abington Board adopted a proposed final general fund budget of $216,004,564 for 2026–27, including a referendum exception to support debt service for the middle school project; administrators said the district will continue to refine figures before final adoption on June 23.
The Abington Board of School Directors voted March 12 to adopt the proposed final general fund budget for the 2026–27 school year in the amount of $216,004,564. Board members were told the figure will be carried to final adoption on June 23, and staff will continue to update line items based on final assessment values and any state budget changes.
Business officer Miss Denicola summarized key elements of the proposal: the district adopted a referendum exception tied to the middle school debt service (the Pennsylvania Department of Education approved a referendum exception of $4,830,826 for the first bond issue), explained the homestead exclusion mechanics, and provided sample impacts on a median homestead assessed at $127,440. "For 2026–27, the county has certified our median homestead assessed value at $127,440," Denicola said, and noted the referendum exception equates to approximately 1.3738 mills.
The presentation included several estimates of taxpayer impact. The business office described the Act 1 index at 3.5 percent, projected a millage increase to 39.8992 mills under one scenario and outlined a combined monthly increase estimate (net of homestead exclusions) of about $28.55 for the median homestead, including debt service for the middle school project. Staff also said the proposed final budget presently anticipates using about $2.4 million of fund balance, subject to change if additional savings are identified.
During discussion board members asked for follow-up scenario planning, particularly about the senior-citizen rebate and alternative rebate amounts. Staff agreed to prepare incremental scenarios for a subsequent meeting to show the budgetary impact of different rebate levels.
The board adopted the proposed final general fund budget by voice vote. Administrators emphasized that figures shown are preliminary projections and that the district will continue to update revenues and expenditures ahead of final adoption on June 23.
