Allentown board advances preliminary budget with 2.9% millage proposal after narrow debate
May 29, 2026 | Allentown City SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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The Allentown School District board voted 8–1 on May 28 to move forward a proposed 2026–27 budget that includes a recommended 2.9% millage increase intended to support capital borrowing and deferred maintenance.
Administration presented a $514,716,077 preliminary general operating budget and said the 2.9% millage would generate roughly $3 million in local revenue annually while enabling about $363 million in borrowing capacity for capital projects. The administration also proposed a local property tax rebate for homeowners earning below $46,520 to offset the millage increase; staff estimated the program could assist about 2,000 households at a projected cost of about $159,000.
Board members pressed administration on alternatives to raising property taxes, including a stepped‑up program of appeals to correct suspected under‑assessments. ‘‘We actually have an opportunity to increase our revenue by approximately $12,000,000 by fixing the assessments in our district,’’ a board member said, citing a small set of properties the board believes are underassessed. Administration and the board’s solicitor cautioned that assessment appeals are time‑consuming and uncertain and likely would not affect revenue in the 2026–27 fiscal year.
Board member Mister Morris moved to amend the posted proposed final budget to show a 0% millage for public posting — a symbolic action he said would preserve the board’s ability to reconsider rates before the final vote. Attorney Sultanik and finance staff warned that presenting a 0% paper budget tonight would require recalculation of homestead/homestead exclusion and rebate formulas on compressed timelines. The amendment failed by roll call, with seven votes against and two in favor.
After that vote, the board took a separate roll call to move the administration’s recommended 2.9% proposed final budget forward for public posting; the motion carried 8–1. Board members and staff emphasized that posting a proposed number tonight is procedural: it satisfies Pennsylvania Department of Education timelines and does not bind the board’s final decision at the June meeting.
What happens next: the administration will post the proposed budget for public review, provide additional details and revised forms required by PDE, and return to the regular board meeting in June for final consideration and a binding vote.
Administration presented a $514,716,077 preliminary general operating budget and said the 2.9% millage would generate roughly $3 million in local revenue annually while enabling about $363 million in borrowing capacity for capital projects. The administration also proposed a local property tax rebate for homeowners earning below $46,520 to offset the millage increase; staff estimated the program could assist about 2,000 households at a projected cost of about $159,000.
Board members pressed administration on alternatives to raising property taxes, including a stepped‑up program of appeals to correct suspected under‑assessments. ‘‘We actually have an opportunity to increase our revenue by approximately $12,000,000 by fixing the assessments in our district,’’ a board member said, citing a small set of properties the board believes are underassessed. Administration and the board’s solicitor cautioned that assessment appeals are time‑consuming and uncertain and likely would not affect revenue in the 2026–27 fiscal year.
Board member Mister Morris moved to amend the posted proposed final budget to show a 0% millage for public posting — a symbolic action he said would preserve the board’s ability to reconsider rates before the final vote. Attorney Sultanik and finance staff warned that presenting a 0% paper budget tonight would require recalculation of homestead/homestead exclusion and rebate formulas on compressed timelines. The amendment failed by roll call, with seven votes against and two in favor.
After that vote, the board took a separate roll call to move the administration’s recommended 2.9% proposed final budget forward for public posting; the motion carried 8–1. Board members and staff emphasized that posting a proposed number tonight is procedural: it satisfies Pennsylvania Department of Education timelines and does not bind the board’s final decision at the June meeting.
What happens next: the administration will post the proposed budget for public review, provide additional details and revised forms required by PDE, and return to the regular board meeting in June for final consideration and a binding vote.
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