The proposed final budget for the upcoming school year in the Upper Perkiomen School District calls for a 12.8 percent tax increase. That amounts to a $547 annual increase – or $45 per month – for the average property owner in the district, according to Business Administrator Drew Bishop.

            Board President Melanie Cunningham described the tax hike as a worst-case scenario. She announced that the elected officials and district administrators will continue their work to reduce that figure. Cunningham described the board's continual goal as balancing fiscal responsibility while maintaining the quality of education and services students, staff and community expect and reserve.

            "As members of this community and taxpayers ourselves, we understand the impact a significant tax increase would have," Cunningham said during the board president's report portion of the May 14 regular meeting. "We do not take that lightly, and we will continue working diligently to identify every possible area of relief before the budget is finalized."

            The $88.191 million budget for the 2026-27 school year includes a one percent millage increase, as recommended three days earlier by the board's finance committee. A forecasted $2.2 million increase in revenue for the current year, due to a decrease in projected expenses, could enhance the upcoming budget deliberations.

            Approval of the proposed tax increase would generate approximately $5.370 million. However, a $2 million budget shortfall would remain.

            According to Cunningham's prepared statement, part of the increase is tied to factors outside the district's control. It cites the district's legal requirement to utilize the State Tax Equalization Board since it is located in two counties.

            The budget does not include any potential increases in funding from the Commonwealth.

            Administrators included the same amount of revenue in next year's budget as the current year, according to Cunningham.

            Between now and June 8, the next finance committee meeting, members and administrators will continue refining the budget. According to Cunningham, the scrutiny of expenditures and cost reduction will continue.

            The board is scheduled to grant final budget approval on June 18. The current version is available for public inspection until then on the district's website and at the Education Center, located at 2229 East Buck Road.

            The board voted unanimously to approve a dual enrollment agreement with Reading Area Community College. The plan allows qualifying high school students the opportunity to simultaneously earn college credits while completing approved courses at their high school.

            Beginning during the next school year, the agreement will allow the college's faculty and administration to work in cooperation with the district's administration and high school faculty to ensure that the program meets its goals of providing college-level teaching and learning to dual enrollment students, according to the language of the agreement embedded in the online meeting agenda.

            It states that dual enrollment courses are offered mainly to sophomore, junior and senior students with some freshman course offerings.

            Member Trina Schaarschmidt described the arrangement as an "amazing opportunity" for high school students to earn an associate's degree before graduating from high school. She described it as a method to graduate from college faster, cheaper and easier.

           In personnel news, the board accepted the resignations of Kimberly Storms, a full-time custodian, and Amy Gangwer, a staff nurse, effective June 5. It also appointed Julie Eurillo as a high school music teacher for the upcoming school year.

             The members also hired three long-term substitute teachers for the 2026-27 school year: Lauren Jones, a librarian, from Aug. 25 through March 12, 2027; Adam Dickey, a middle school science teacher; and Katie Outland, an elementary teacher.

            The board also approved leaves for Brigid Bardman, beginning on May 27 through March 12, 2027; Shannon Stefani until March 12, 2027; Jessica Gerhart, through the end of the current school year; and Rachael Dishman from Oct. 1 through January 6, 2027.      

            Solicitor Kyle J. Somers announced during the meeting that the board had met for two recent executive sessions. One occurred immediately prior to the most recent public meeting to discuss a confidential student matter, a personnel matter involving a temporary professional employee and a separate personnel matter regarding an appointed administrative employee.

            According to the solicitor, the board also met privately on May 7 for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter for an appointed administrative employee.