Gettysburg Area School District’s Board of Directors continued their deep dive into the 2026-27 budget on Monday, with signs pointing towards a tax increase.
“If you would ask me, I would make the recommendation no lower than 3.5%,” Business Manager Belinda Wallen said.
Pennsylvania law dictates the district cannot raise taxes more than 4.2%. The current budget draft shows a $919,211 deficit with the maximum increase enacted. Wallen’s proposed 3.5% increase yields a $1.198 million deficit. The board must pass a balanced budget.
Over the next few weeks, the elected officials will decide if the requested new positions are necessary, how much to spend on capital projects, and how much to borrow from a fund set aside to fund projected retirement costs. The proposal includes adding two social workers to replace family navigator positions, as well as two special education supervisors, three special education positions, and a technology position.
Board member Kathleen Pratt pointed out that the district has not raised taxes four out of the past six years to fund the school district’s general operating budget. The past two years, it has raised taxes 1% to set aside money for a planned new Adams County Technical Institute campus.
Board member Dave Sites suggested freezing all planned capital projects to save money. He believes a new Warrior Stadium team room is unnecessary and a proposed renovation to the District Administration Building is not an immediate need.
“You are not going to be able to pay for them, all you are doing is robbing from them,” Sites said.
As she has the past few meetings, Wallen reminded Sites that those projects are being funded with unused bond money.
Board member Ryan Kearney questioned how the district is facing a financial dilemma when several developments have resulted in more tax revenue. Wallen noted the new revenue has not matched increased expenses.
“Thank goodness Amblebrook came into play because that has helped fund the increases without us raising taxes to the general population,” she said.
The public will have an opportunity to share their thoughts on the proposal during a public hearing scheduled for May 4. The board will continue its discussions that evening, May 18, and June 1 before final adoption on June 1.
“I will say, again, this is not the final budget,” Wallen said.
