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Abington board adopts $213.3 million 2026–27 budget and sets 41.273‑mill property tax rate
Summary
The board approved the 2026–27 final general fund budget and levied a 41.273‑mill tax rate (including 1.3738 referendum mills) that increases monthly taxes on the median homestead by about $28.55; the budget relies on a planned use of fund balance and includes corrected expense figures presented before the vote.
The Abington Board of School Directors on June 23 adopted a final general fund budget for 2026–27 and set the property tax rate at 41.273 mills, an increase tied to the Act 1 index and a referendum millage for the middle‑school project.
Board materials presented to members and the public showed certified assessed value within the district at $3.485 billion for 2026–27 and explained that a 3.5% Act 1 base millage increase plus a referendum debt‑service millage of 1.3738 mills produce the final rate. Officials said the combined effect on the median homestead (after the homestead exclusion) will be about $28.55 per month, or roughly $342.60 per year; presenters also noted a longer‑term estimate tied to the middle‑school project that had been shared earlier (approximately $54 monthly when the project is complete).
The district corrected a figure on the agenda before the vote, saying final expenses to be reflected in the attached PDE form were $213,258,184 (administration had earlier shown a higher draft number). The department of education certification for property tax relief was shown as $7,974,868.22 in two payments anticipated in August and October 2026. The board adopted an installment tax schedule (payments Aug. 17, Sept. 15, Nov. 9, 2026) with a 2% discount for early payment and late‑payment penalties as allowed by law.
Administration walked the board through the revenue and expense lines used to support the budget: budgeted local revenues of roughly $155.75 million, state revenues budgeted at $49.39 million (subject to state budget approval), and federal revenues of about $2.27 million; planned use of fund balance for 2026–27 was shown at $5,844,971 with an estimated ending fund balance of $8,838,924. Board members asked detailed questions about fund‑balance timing, special‑education costs (the district’s special‑education expense budget was cited at $24.78 million for the current year, with $5.07 million budgeted in state reimbursements), and projections for returning to sustainable (non‑deficit) operations.
The budget motion passed on a roll‑call vote with each board member recorded as voting in favor.
