Upper Perkiomen's school board voted last week to limit the size of any potential future tax increase. The members voted unanimously to approve an accelerated budget opt-out restricting any tax hikes included in the 2026-27 school year to 4.2 percent, the Adjusted Act 1 Index determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

            "I'm sure we'll work under that," Board President Melanie Cunningham said during the Nov. 13 regular meeting.

            The board's finance committee recommended the opt-out. School districts can seek referendum exceptions to raise taxes above that limit for four reasons: grandfathered debt from school construction, electoral debt from school construction, special education expenditures and retirement contributions, according to information posted on the state agency's website.

            Maintaining the same millage rate in next year's budget could lead to a nearly 10 percent tax increase for property owners. The hike would be based on a rate determined by the State Tax Equalization Board, according to Cunningham.

            Taxes on property assessed at $126,051 would jump from $4,642.41 during the current year to $5,087.92 without a tax hike, a 9.60 percent increase, according to an email from Cunningham. She wrote that the finance committee is working to reduce that figure.

            JP Prego and Emily McCormick ended their four-year terms on the board last week. Both Upper Hanover residents, elected in November 2021, took turns making a motion and seconding every action item during the 56-minute meeting.

            Prego – a mechanical engineer and a father of two who often highlighted accomplishments and delivered compliments from parents, teachers and staff with his "Shoutouts" at the end of public meetings – said his name will be forgotten after he leaves the board.

            That's the way it should be," Prego said, "...the impact is in the results."

            Prego delivered his final shoutout to the district's administrators. He said they deal with more issues than most people realize.

            The outgoing member described his service, which included attending 288 meetings, one of the more rewarding things he's ever done. Prego – who chaired the facilities committee and served on the extracurricular and the educational programs and services committees, as well as the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center's joint operating committee – described the process as the opposite of easy.

            "I'll never regret doing what's best for the kids," he said.

            McCormick described her time on the board as rewarding. She said working with so many dedicated people reminded her how special the Upper Perkiomen community is.

            The 1997 graduate of Upper Perkiomen thanked her two daughters for their support. McCormick – who chaired the extracurricular and the educational programs and services committees, and served on the policy and ad-hoc committees – said it was important to show them the importance of giving back.