Council Rock board approves proposed final budget calling for 2.93% tax increase and $6.7 million deficit

The Council Rock School District board of school directors voted May 15 to approve a proposed final budget that would raise property taxes by 2.93% and shows a projected deficit of roughly $6.7 million.

The vote allows the administration to post the budget for the minimum 20 days required under state law before the board takes a final vote in June. Tony Rapp, the district business administrator, told the board the proposal is a “proposed final” budget and not yet final; state procedures require the display and additional advertisement before final adoption.

Why it matters: the budget includes funding for the second year of full-day kindergarten and for about 10.3 newly budgeted teaching positions (the administration described additional hires tied to the kindergarten rollout and other school staffing needs). Board members and the public pressed administrators about the size of the deficit, the effect on the district’s fund balance and credit rating, and whether the district can reduce the proposed tax increase.

Key facts and numbers: Rapp said the district began budget work with a roughly $14 million shortfall and has reduced that to the current $6.7 million projection. The proposed increase was presented as lower than the Act 1 index in many nearby districts; Rapp said other districts are budgeting at or near the Act 1 index and that Council Rock’s proposed increase is intended to limit tax growth while covering contractual and nonpersonnel cost pressures.

Board discussion centered on trade-offs between program staffing and taxpayer impacts. Board members asked for a five‑year projection of revenues and expenditures and for regular updates to the online budget materials as figures change before the June final vote. Rapp said he would provide a five‑year projection and post updated budget PDFs on the district website during the public display period.

Procedure and vote: the motion to advance the proposed final budget passed on roll call; board members present voted to move the proposal into the required posting period ahead of the June meeting for final adoption.

Next steps: the administration will post the proposed final budget on the district website and in the Chancellor Center lobby for the required 20‑day display and advertise the June meeting as required by state law. The board must adopt a final budget at a later public meeting, currently scheduled for June.