Council Rock board votes to advertise proposed 2026–27 budget, advancing a 3.5% tax example for public review

The Council Rock School District Board of School Directors voted 9–0 on May 21 to approve the district’s proposed 2026–27 budget for public advertisement, a required step that allows a 30‑day public inspection period and does not finalize the spending plan.

Business administrator Mr. Rapp presented the budget to the board, saying the proposal assumes $297,907,355 in total revenue — roughly $12 million more than the prior year — and described an overall expenditures increase of about 3.93 percent. He told the board the personnel portion of the plan reflects a $15,606,709 increase in salary and benefits and emphasized that the advertised document is not final: “this is by no means considered a final budget. This is just saying, this is what we’re proposing right now,” Mr. Rapp said.

The administration explained that part of the personnel increase reflects recently negotiated contracts and the timing of accounting for those settlements in the budget book. Mr. Rapp also illustrated how the board’s option to use the Act 1 index translates to household impact: a 1 percent tax increase on an average assessed value in the district equates to about $69, meaning a 3.5 percent example equals roughly $240 on that illustrative home.

Board members spent more than an hour questioning assumptions and priorities, including requests for a multiyear outlook. Board member Mr. Roosevelt urged producing a five‑year forward budget for planning and said the current materials provided a useful multi‑year look-back that should be extended forward. Several members, including Mr. Hidalgo, thanked administrators for keeping the overall expenditure increase under 4 percent while noting long‑term fiscal pressure from rising staffing and benefits costs. Ms. Ricker and others emphasized that most new spending in the proposal is targeted at student services, especially special education.

Public commenters raised finance concerns during the meeting. Community member Carolyn Buser Blacknell questioned a line item she read as a zero balance in the district’s debt service fund and urged fiscal caution; her concerns were entered for the record during public comment.

The board also approved the district’s extra‑duty/extra responsibility pay assignments and the May EDRPP payment (the three-times‑per‑year payment for coaches, club advisors and other after‑hours duties). Mr. Rapp said the May EDRPP payment is approximately $518,292.62; board practice spreads those payments across three installments that together total about $1.5 million annually. The EDRPP motion passed with eight yes votes and one abstention.

Next steps: the advertised proposed final budget will be posted for public inspection, and the board is scheduled to consider final adoption at the June 18, 2026 meeting. Administration said the board and the public will have opportunities between now and the final vote to request clarifications or seek changes to the plan.

Votes at a glance: The motion to approve the proposed final budget for advertisement passed 9–0. The motion to approve the EDRPP assignments and payments passed 8–0–1 (one abstention).