Oley Valley board previews 33.2578‑mill levy and $2026–27 general fund proposal

The Oley Valley School District Board of Directors received a set of finance motions proposing a 33.2578‑mill real estate tax levy, a homestead/farmstead exclusion, and the district's proposed final general fund budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

Mr. Klein, presenting the budget and tax motions, told trustees the proposed real estate millage of 33.2578 would be used to pay teacher and supervisory salaries, rental obligations, bond amortization and other necessary district operating costs. Staff estimated revenue from the levy at approximately $23,348,522. Mr. Klein also introduced a homestead/farmstead exclusion for the 2026 tax year that would reduce assessed value by $9,160 for qualifying properties; that exclusion would translate to an approximate tax reduction of $3,464 per approved homestead/farmstead property, as read aloud at the meeting.

The package presented included a proposed general fund budget read aloud by Mr. Klein for the 2026–27 fiscal year and several auxiliary levies and fees: a $5 per‑capita tax, a $5 resident tax, a 1% real‑estate transfer tax and a 1% earned income tax collection mechanism. Mr. Klein said the motions also include authorization for current‑year general fund transfers and agreements related to school nutrition and food service management.

Board members did not vote on the motions during the meeting; Mr. Klein asked whether trustees had questions and noted the formal motions would appear on next week's agenda for action. The board asked staff to ensure any posted budget documents and agenda materials correct transcription or typographical errors and to supply clear line items for next week's vote.

The board is scheduled to take up the finance motions at its next regular meeting, where trustees may adopt the levy, approve the final budget and vote on related motions. Until the board acts, the proposals remain draft items under consideration.