Elizabethtown Area SD board approves 2026–27 budget, tax levy and homestead exclusion

The Elizabethtown Area School District board approved a preliminary $84,782,568 budget for 2026–27 and a property tax rate of 21.1569 mills at its June workshop, voting unanimously to adopt the measures.

Board finance chair Mrs. Bizarian moved to approve the final budget resolution; Mrs. Lindamouth seconded. Board members voted yes in roll call: Mrs. Bizarian, Mr. Gillis, Mrs. Lindamouth, Mr. Lindamouth, Mrs. Shrum, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Yoder and Mrs. Carter. Administration described a projected near-term surplus of roughly $320,000 after savings and adjustments, reversing an earlier $2.1 million deficit.

According to the administration’s presentation, the district’s preliminary budget reflects savings from a mix of measures: adjustments to full-day kindergarten staffing, unfilled retirements, expanded use of long-term substitutes through partner organizations, an expanded custodial contract and efficiencies from larger contracts (notably STS). The presentation also showed the district’s reserve has grown to include the building fund (approximately $1.67 million reported in the slides) while keeping general fund reserves intact.

The board also adopted the annual tax-levy resolution (the rate discussed above) and a homestead and farmstead exclusion resolution for 2026–27 (approximately $1.04 million available for distribution). Administration noted property owners receive a 2% discount for early payment and penalties for late payment as set by the district’s collection calendar.

Separately, the board approved a one-year renewal of the crossing-guard contract with ACMS (the borough retains site location authority). The agreement proposes an hourly rate of $38.90 for about 1,392 service hours and a projected annual cost of $54,148.80; ACMS will recruit, screen, train and supervise guards. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call.

Other action items approved at the meeting included acceptance of a confidential special-education settlement, the personnel report and routine summer authorizations for administration to continue district business until the August action meeting.

The board’s vote followed a public comment period during which several residents asked questions about savings sources, the long-term effects of using long-term substitutes versus hiring, impacts to extracurriculars and early-childhood programs, and the district’s approach to program funding. Administrators said the long-term cost implications will be evaluated each year and that a one-year Head Start lease is intended to preserve grant funding while the district explores alternatives.

Next steps: the administration will continue to refine budget details in the weeks before the August action meeting and report back on how one-year staffing or contract decisions will affect 2027–28 costs.