Haverford Township SD board adopts 2026–27 budget and tax levy, flags long-term deficit

The Haverford Township School District Board of School Directors voted May 21 to adopt the 2026–27 tax levy and budget, moving the district forward under the limits of Pennsylvania’s Act 1 budget rules.

Board discussion before the vote centered on long-term fiscal pressures. Dr. Shelton said the district’s fund-balance reserve "would be projected to be exhausted by 2829 on our current trajectory" and urged administration to commission phase-two scenario work from PFM to identify revenue and expenditure options. Other board members reiterated that the district faces statutory limits on local revenue and relies heavily on timely state funding.

The motion to adopt the budget and tax levy passed after brief discussion and recorded assent from those present. The board also adopted a separate Homestead resolution as presented at the May 7 work session.

Superintendent Dr. Hayes and board members stressed continued planning: administration will use consultant recommendations and present specific options for October budget planning, with an eye toward maintaining a balanced fund by 2028–29. No board member requested postponement of the vote; concerns were couched as direction for further analysis rather than opposition to the current budget.

Dr. King temporarily relinquished the chair for a separate agenda item (scholarship establishment) and disclosed a conflict of interest on one scholarship: "Because I'm affiliated professionally with McDonald's, I believe it is best that I abstain from participating in this item," he said; the abstention was submitted for the minutes. The board proceeded to approve the scholarship items and other routine finance motions.