Lampeter‑Strasburg board adopts 2026–27 budget, raises property tax by 2.9%

The Lampeter‑Strasburg School District board on June 1 adopted the 2026–27 final budget and approved a 2.9% increase in the property tax levy while retaining the local wage tax at 1%.

The finance director presented the budget as the final step required under the Act 1 timeline, saying the district faced upward cost pressure from fuel, delivery fees, special education and property insurance. “This is the formal budget resolution that is required through the Act 1 timeline,” the presenter said during the meeting.

Board members expressed both support for the budget and concern about the tax increase. One member thanked district finance staff for detailed work but said the board should continue to scrutinize actuals versus projections to avoid raising taxes “more than what we need to collect.” After discussion, the motion to adopt the budget passed on a roll‑call vote with eight yays and one nay.

Why it matters: the adopted budget sets the district’s revenue and spending plan for the coming school year and directly affects property taxpayers in the Lampeter‑Strasburg SD area. District officials cited higher operating costs and special‑education expenses as the principal drivers of the increase.

What happens next: the board completed the formal adoption; administrators will proceed with plan implementation as budgeted for the coming year.