Tax Hike Planned In Proposed Final Pennsbury Budget

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA —School districts throughout Lower Bucks County are grappling with high costs while trying to keep costs in line for residents.

School districts like Centennial and Bensalem are struggling with major deficits.

While the Pennsbury School District isn't in such a financial crisis, residents will see a tax hike in next year's school budget, which must be approved by the end of the month.

At its meeting last week, the school board approved a proposed final 2026-2027 school budget of $278,438,550.

That amounts to a 3.4 percent tax hike, which means that the average homeowner would pay $287.23 more in taxes.

The school board will vote on the final budget later this month.

The school district is building a new $269.5 million high school to replace the Pennsbury East and West High School campuses.

With the high school project, residents may endure tax hikes over the next few years to cover project costs.

Schools Superintendent Thomas Smith said the budget allocates $21 million to debt service. He said that salary and benefits make up 80 percent of the overall school budget.

Pennsbury budget and are rising 2.3 percent year over year.

The school district expects to use $4.4 million from its fund balance to offset costs.

The school district's revenue comes from local taxes. Pennsbury receives $65 million from the state and $4.8 million from the federal government.

The Pennsbury School District serves 9,600 students and residents in Yardley Borough, and Falls and Lower Makefield townships.