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Pennsbury board moves to advertise $273.96 million proposed budget and authorizes $105 million bond plan
Summary
The Pennsbury School District board on May 21 voted to approve a consent agenda that included advertising a proposed final budget of $273,956,225 and authorizing a bond resolution of up to $105,000,000 to finance a new high school. Officials said spending will rely on a $4.4 million fund balance draw and rising debt service for the high school project.
The Pennsbury Board of School Directors voted May 21 to approve a consent agenda that includes formally advertising a proposed final 2026–27 general fund budget of $273,956,225 and a resolution authorizing bond issuance of up to $105,000,000 for the new high school project.
Dr. Smith, who presented the budget to the board, said the district’s total estimated expenditures and other financing equal $278,438,550 and that the district plans to use roughly $4,400,000 from its fund balance to cover the difference. "Almost 80% of our budget is salary and benefits," Dr. Smith said, adding that salary and benefit increases are expected to rise about 2.3% year over year.
The presentation identified areas driving cost increases next year: special education up about 6.23%, specialized transportation up 37% and energy costs budgeted to rise roughly 27%. The administration also flagged charter school costs and an expected $6.7 million increase tied to charter tuition estimates.
Board materials shown at the meeting list the proposed final budget of $273,956,225 and a total expenditures and other financing figure of $278,438,550; members were told the district would bridge the gap using $4.4 million from fund balance and planned debt service related to the new high school.
The bond authorization on the agenda would allow the district to issue bonds with a maximum aggregate principal of $105,000,000 to design, construct and finance the new high school and related improvements. Dr. Smith told the board that bids were approved earlier and construction has started; the administration said debt service will increase in future budgets as construction proceeds.
The consent agenda also included approval of the Bucks County Technical High School budget for 2026–27 and several routine contracts and renewals. A roll-call vote carried the consent agenda. The board’s action to advertise the proposed final budget is procedural: final adoption is scheduled for the June board meeting after the public-advertising period and any further amendments.
Board and staff said more detailed line-by-line budget information will be available online and at a future meeting. The administration noted the district is monitoring key cost drivers and pursuing savings through attrition and operational efficiencies as it prepares the next fiscal year.
The board will consider final budget adoption in June; the bond issuance would require additional steps and documentation before sale.
