Tax Rise Plan Aims to Patch School Budget Gap

The Tyrone Area School District is looking at a 4. 9% hike in the state Act 1 Index to close a projected $1. 2 million shortfall for the 2026‑27 school year. This move would bring in roughly $491, 000 more money and cut the deficit to about $740, 000. State lawmakers have added only modest amounts for basic and special education over the past five years. In Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget, the district would see a $30, 000 bump in core schooling funds and an $8, 616 increase for special education—small increases compared to the $50 million statewide boost. The district’s chief administrator, Faith Swanson, told the board that while taxes would help fill the gap now, additional cuts are expected in the coming month. Current revenue is estimated at $31. 2 million against projected expenses of $31. 9 million, and the general fund balance is expected to dip from $9. 4 million today to about $8. 7 million by mid‑2027.Because the district spans Blair, Centre and Huntingdon counties, the tax change varies by location. In Blair County, the millage would rise from 8. 18 to 8. 27 mills; a $100, 000 home would pay about $710 annually, dropping to $432 for those with homestead or farmstead exemptions. Centre County would see a jump from 31. 16 to 31. 83 mills, translating to $544 on a typical property and $266 for eligible residents. Huntingdon County, the only area already meeting the Act 1 target, would increase from 54. 39 to 62. 15 mills—about $782 on a standard home and $504 for those exempt. The board plans to approve the preliminary budget next Tuesday, with public notice required within ten days. The final 2026‑27 general fund budget should be adopted by June 9, before the state’s June 30 deadline. Swanson expects the statewide budget to pass by that time, avoiding a prolonged stalemate like last year.