At the Quakertown Community School Board meeting on Thursday, May 22, the board received an update on the proposed 2025-2026 budget.

            It was reported that in their $149.5 million spending plan, the district is experiencing a $16.4 million deficit. They are proposing a 2.51% tax increase to offset the deficit. The administration did not provide the district's current fund balance during the presentation. They also did not provide the costs associated with capital projects.

            However, Business Administrator Dawn Young did explain that the district is experiencing a $57,944 expenditure increase and a revenue decrease of $502,568. A total of $89.3 million is allocated to benefits and salaries.

            Administration is still working through department budgets and revenue projections. Potential updates to the budget will be presented to the board at the next meeting. They will also provide federal and state funding amounts. The final vote on the budget will be at the June 12 meeting.

            The district is facing three major issues: space shortages at the elementary school; necessary repairs at the elementary school; the middle-grade model that has students in a separate facility.

            The administration stated that it is not ideal having the sixth-grade students in a different building.

            In other news, the board approved the design contract for the elementary school. This includes the construction, demolition, and abatement of the existing building. The project is scheduled to be completed by July 2028. The cost associated with this capital project was not included in the approved proposed budget.

            Upon approval of the design construct, Dawn Young said, "I will reach out to the engineering, architectural and financial advisors and we can come together with what an anticipated number we would be spending for the 2025-26 year."

            She recommended putting that number into the proposed budget.