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Abington SD previews 3.5% Act 1 millage increase and referendum debt mill for middle school; senior rebate options discussed
Summary
District finance staff presented a draft 2026–27 budget that factors in a 3.5% Act 1 millage (1.3492 mills) and a separate referendum debt mill (1.3738 mills) for the middle‑school project, producing an estimated $28.54 monthly increase for the median homestead; options to raise the district senior rebate from 40% to 50% or 60% were presented with cost estimates.
The Abington Board of School Directors reviewed a proposed update to the 2026–27 general fund budget at its May 26 meeting, including a 3.5% Act 1 millage increase built into the draft levy and a separately stated referendum debt mill tied to the middle‑school project.
Budget director Miss Denakola told the board the Act 1 index of 3.5% equates to an increase of 1.3492 mills and that a referendum debt mill of 1.3738 mills will appear separately on tax bills so residents can see the portion funding the middle‑school debt. Using a median assessed homestead value of $127,440, she said the total monthly real‑estate tax increase for that representative home would be about $28.54.
Denakola also explained how the district reclassified roughly $8 million from local real‑estate tax revenue to state revenue after the state certified the homestead exclusion, and she summarized current revenue and expense estimates, including estimated salaries, benefits and projected debt service related to the middle‑school bond.
Why it matters: The proposed millage increases and the separate referendum mill directly affect household tax bills. The board must adopt the homestead exclusion resolution and the final general fund budget on June 23, with an intermediate budget update planned for June 9.
Senior rebate options: Denakola outlined three district supplement scenarios for the state senior property tax rebate (currently budgeted as a 40% supplement to the state rebate up to $400). Moving the supplement to 50% was estimated to cost about $35,170 annually; moving to 60% was estimated near $42,240. She said about 150 residents currently participate in the district rebate program and that a 2023 Department of Revenue report shows roughly 180 property owners in the district may be eligible for the state rebate.
Board discussion and next steps: Board members asked for clarifications about the drivers of revenue change and whether the larger class sizes described elsewhere in the presentation were intended as cost‑cutting; administration said class‑size shifts were scheduling and demographic outcomes rather than intentional layoffs. Administration said the district is continuing to seek additional savings and will present updated budget scenarios at the June 9 and June 23 meetings. The board did not adopt a final budget on May 26.
What’s next: The board plans to vote on the homestead exclusion resolution and the final general fund budget on June 23, 2026. The administration said it will prepare an agenda item on whether to increase the district senior rebate if the board wants to consider moving from 40% to 50% or 60%.
