The Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors took a deep dive into their 2026-27 budget options during their May 4 meeting. This exercise has dominated the past several meetings, with the most recent session lasting almost three hours.
While no decisions were made, no one disagreed when board members and staff expressed the need for a tax increase.
Business Manager Belinda Wallen tediously explained to the elected officials that the district’s costs are rising, much like their own household costs. Additionally, the district must absorb special education services from the Lincoln Intermediate Unit and add a technology position to reduce overtime and keep the network secure. Wallen spoke the most during the session, but the board must absorb and react to her comments.
“This is the board’s budget, this is not my budget to you,” Wallen said.
The board will discuss three tax increase options on May 18–-2.9%, 3.5%, and 4.2%. For several years, the board raised taxes 1% to cover future expected costs related to Adams County Technical Institute’s expansion.
“Get rid of the 1%, that’s not even realistic anymore,” Board Member David Sites said. “We went down that road for eight years.”
Director of Student Services Brandi Glenn-Akers, Ed.D. said an additional special education supervisor is needed because the department is responsible for attending about 110 individualized education plan meetings per month. The district must also absorb 50 students currently served by the intermediate unit.
“With one person, I just don’t see how we could do all of those things,” Glenn-Akers said.
Wallen touted the department’s work, but added that Gettysburg’s high-quality education is leading to an increase in student enrollment and, in turn, costs.
“We are doing a great job of servicing those students so the word is out ‘Come to Gettysburg,’” Wallen.
Superintendent Jeffrey Matzner said the district hopes to add additional revenue in the coming years by charging Hoffman Homes for administrative work.
Next Steps
The board will review the budget one more time on May 18. At that meeting, they will likely come to a consensus on which tax increase option is necessary.
On June 1, the board will make a final decision with the likely tax increase to become effective on July 1.
Both meetings are open to the public and will include public comment sessions. The board meets at the District Administrative Building on Biglerville Road.
