Final review and expense cuts under consideration

            The 2025-2026 proposed budget was discussed and voted on at the Quakertown Community School board meeting on April 24th.

            The motion to approve the proposed budget with a 2.5% tax increase passed 5-4. Brian Reimers, Todd Hippauf, Glenn Iosue and David O'Donnell opposed the motion. 

            The proposed budget for 2025-2026 totals $149,472,526. This amount includes $1,200,000 in unassigned budgetary reserve.

            Several options were discussed at the meeting. A proposed final budget is required to be submitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and is not necessarily the final voted budget.

            Board members also stressed that they are not voting on a tax increase. This is a discussion for a proposed budget that must be submitted to the state. "We are not voting on a tax increase," said board member Chris Spear.

            The option that was approved has a millage rate of 176.51, an increase of 2.5% over the 2024-2025 millage rate.  The 2025-2026 deficit without a budgetary reserve is $12,759,000.

            The board had a lengthy discussion about the proposed budget and projected expenses for the district. The board also stated that the administration will continue to look for expense cuts to eliminate a tax increase.

            "We have control of 20% of the budget. 80% of the budget is fixed," said board member Charles Shermer. "At a 3% increase, we are still in a deficit position," he continued. "Even at 3%, the revenue doesn't cover the 3 million increase in salary and benefits that we are contractually obligated to."

            With no tax increase, the proposed millage rate would be 172.21 mills. The 2025-2026 budget deficit without budgetary reserve would be $14,641,286.

            Some of the cost drivers for the proposed budget include: $89.31 million in salaries and benefits, $12.17 million in student services, $1.7 million in budgetary reserve and $1.25 million in capital improvements. These, among other cost drivers, bring the total proposed cost of $143.06 million to run the district. This is 95.71% of the budget.

            An updated proposed 2025-2026 budget will be discussed again at the May 22 board meeting and the board will vote to adopt the 2025-2026 final budget at its June 12 meeting.