Manheim Township board advances proposed $138.5 million 2026–27 budget, approves LED, paving and salary agreements

The Manheim Township School Board on Monday approved the proposed final general fund budget for 2026–27 of $138,469,472 and set a millage rate of 18.1421, a procedural step that board members said moves the district closer to a final budget next month.

The budget was approved "as presented on form PDE 2028," the chair said, and board members clarified that the district will bring a finalized budget for a later vote. "That next month, you'll be bringing the final budget," one member said; staff confirmed that the final adoption will follow required public notice and review.

Votes at a glance - Proposed final general fund budget (2026–27): $138,469,472; millage rate 18.1421; motion carried. - McClure Company contract (Phase 5 LED lighting and control upgrades at Landis Run Intermediate): approved; motion carried. The posted contract amount in the record included the figure $1,000,623.09 as presented. - Martin's Excavating (Riding Hill Elementary parking lot paving): low bid $224,965; approved; motion carried. - 2026–27 salary matrix (support staff): approved; motion carried. - 2026–27 salary matrix for Act 93 groups A and B and salary support staff: approved; motion carried. - Act 93 agreement (Manheim Township School District and Act 93 administration and specialists groups A & B, effective 07/01/2026–06/30/2031): approved; motion carried.

Board members described the LED and lighting project as a planned capital-improvement step designed to reduce long-term costs. "I appreciate the presentation last week. I think it was really thorough," the chair said before the vote on the LED contract, adding that the upgrades should "provide lasting cost savings to the district." Members also commended district staff and the Act 93 representatives for negotiation work on the multi-year agreement.

What happens next The board's action on the proposed final budget is one step in the statutorily required process; district staff said they will present the final budget next month for final adoption. The contracts and salary agreements approved at Monday's meeting will proceed to implementation steps managed by district administration and the facilities department.

Authority and notes The budget action was recorded "as presented on form PDE 2028," the standard Pennsylvania Department of Education form referenced during the meeting. Where specific vote tallies were not read into the record, minutes indicate motions were moved, seconded and the chair called the motion "carried."