Board approves proposed $28.4 million budget for 2026–27, warns of special-education costs

The Bristol Borough School District board voted to approve the proposed 2026–27 general fund budget totaling $28,416,954. The motion to adopt the budget was made during the meeting and carried on a roll-call vote.

Board members flagged a projected deficit of $388,802 and discussed revenue and expenditure drivers. A board member said the deficit would equate to “about a 4.77 millage increase” if the district sought to cover it entirely through taxes. Revenue adjustments noted in the discussion included an increase in basic education subsidy (about $26,000), an adequacy supplement increase (about $254,000) and roughly $100,000 in additional real-estate tax collections; the board also cited higher rental and inclusion billing (about $450,000). On the expenditure side, members identified contract increases for teachers and support staff, increases in special-education reconciliation estimated at $600,000, tech-school tuition, and higher medical and utility costs.

Board members and administrators cautioned that the amount the board will formally approve on June 10 could change because hiring decisions remain in process. One member described back taxes and ongoing collection efforts as an additional variable affecting revenue; the board discussed arrears in the range of “between $250,000 and $350,000” during the meeting. The district will revisit figures before the final June approval.

For transparency, the board recorded the roll-call vote; the transcript indicates the motion passed and was announced as carried. The board also discussed next steps for reconciling special-education costs and the need to finalize staffing before setting any permanent tax-rate changes.