Fox Chapel Area SD previews 2026–27 budget with 3.1% tax increase and multimillion-dollar high‑school renovation plans

The Fox Chapel Area School District board heard a high-level review of the district’s final 2026–27 general fund operating budget and a preview of related facilities and procurement items, including proposed professional services for a planned high‑school mechanical (HVAC/hot‑water) renovation.

Director of Finance Mr. Manzer told the board the presentation would be “a short presentation, really high level” and walked through revenue and expense highlights. He said the final budget shows a 3.1% real-estate tax increase reflected in the real-estate tax line and that real-estate taxes account for roughly 64% of the district’s revenue. He also noted a planned capital-reserve transfer shown in the packet of about $1,900,000 and that roughly $157,000 of that increase is attributable to the tax change.

Board members asked about contingency planning if the state delays its budget; a common concern because state revenue is a sizable portion of district receipts. Mr. Manzer said the district’s state-aid estimate totals roughly $24–25 million and that “we would be able to go quite, like, pretty much all year without any state revenue” before needing major changes. Superintendent Dr. Reppert added that during a past state-budget delay the district’s analysis showed operations could continue into February or March before significant adjustments would be necessary.

Facilities and planning items will be moved at the next meeting; Missus Lynch read five items the board will consider, including a $39,300 change order for the high-school tennis-court renovations, authority to advertise bids for athletic-field lighting, a $378,884 Thomas & Williamson program-management proposal for the high-school mechanical renovations, an H. F. Lens Company engineering proposal for $552,000, and an H. F. Lens commissioning proposal for $102,500. Missus Lynch said design for the high-school mechanical project would occur in the fall, with an 18‑month schedule anticipated and phased construction to allow ongoing occupancy, and bid advertising planned over summer with approval in late summer or early fall.

Finance items to be moved next week include an interfund transfer of $42,163 (50% of 2025–26 athletic ticket sales) into the capital-reserve fund, authorization for insurance contracts not to exceed $581,000, and a proposed food-services budget of $2,246,250 for 2026–27. Mr. Hamilton previewed a general-fund operating budget resolution presented in the packet in the mid‑$125 million range and confirmed the tax-rate increase of 3.1%.

Board members and administrators discussed assessment changes tied to new housing developments, the effect of the county common-level ratio on the district’s tax base, and long-range capital planning, and several members requested a deeper workshop on the multi‑phase capital plan and more transparent year‑over‑year comparisons for recurring vendor renewals where available.

The board did not vote on these items at the meeting; several items were read into the record to be moved and voted on at the next regular meeting.