Cornwall‑Lebanon SD presents 2026–27 final budget preview, proposes 3.9% tax increase ahead of June 15 vote

The Cornwall‑Lebanon School District on June 8 previewed its proposed 2026–27 final budget, saying a 3.9% tax increase will be needed to balance projected expenditures.

At the public work session, Mrs. Sense (finance) told the board the district projects $119.6 million in revenues and is estimating $116.9 million in other receipts, leaving a gap covered in part by assigned fund balance and the proposed millage that would be 19.960. She said a homeowner with an assessed value of $173,800 would see about a $130 annual increase under the proposal.

Why it matters: staff framed the increase as necessary to sustain programs and pay rising personnel costs — the district said personnel accounts for roughly 65% of expenditures — while also covering increased healthcare and special‑education costs. Mrs. Sense emphasized mandated costs such as employer pension contributions as major budget drivers.

Key details: the administration highlighted several cost pressures the budget must address: a $1.3 million increase in health‑care costs, a $350,000 rise in special‑education placements, and a $375,000 increase for third‑party cyber‑charter tuition. Officials cited the Pennsylvania School Employees’ Retirement System employer rate (reported at 33.59% and projected to rise) as an ongoing fiscal pressure.

State relief: staff said the district will pass through state property‑tax relief (Act 1 homestead/farmstead) and that approved applicants will see a $2,943 reduction on 2026–27 bills based on the district’s $2.2 million allocation.

Next steps: officials said the formal adoption and required resolutions (earned income tax, real‑estate transfer tax, interim real‑estate tax, and homestead/farmstead exclusion) are planned for the board’s June 15 meeting. No final votes were taken at the June 8 work session.

Budget documents and the PDE‑2028 template will accompany the June 15 action on the budget.