SHILLINGTON, Pa. – Property owners in the Governor Mifflin School District are expected to face another tax increase.

Monday night, the school board approved the proposed final budget for fiscal year 2026-27, in the amount of $95,060,578, setting the millage at 34.61 mills for public advertisement and comment. The real estate taxes have a proposed 4.5% millage increase of 1.49 mills, bringing the rate to 34.61 mills.

Changes, however, can still be made before a final budget is passed in June. The $95,060,578 overall budget is balanced, not including budgetary reserve. Other local revenue includes real estate taxes budgeted at normal collection rates and Earned Income Taxes revenue budgeted at a projected increase of 1.75%.

The budget notes that interest earnings are declining and are budgeted lower than the prior year. Other local revenues are budgeted flat.

State subsidies to the budget include 100% of the governor’s proposed subsidy allocations in the student-weighted formula at this time for basic education and special education. The new state Public School Employees’ Retirement System retirement rate is 33.59%, down from 34%.

Governor Mifflin Education Association has been budgeted at 5.25% by moving all current staff onto the 2026-27 salary matrix; adjustments were made for new positions, retirements and replacements. AFSCME salaries were budgeted at 2.5% based on the collective bargaining agreement. In addition, administration salaries have been budgeted at board-approved rates, and leadership salaries are budgeted at 3%.

Benefits

The budget states health plan premiums are currently budgeted at a 16% increase over the prior year. That’s up from the preliminary update, but rates are not yet final. Dental insurance is budgeted at a 9% increase — down from the preliminary update. Health co-pays were budgeted at the same rates as last year for all groups.

Other Expenses

The transportation budget shows a contractual increase of 3.5%. Additional costs related to Intermediate Unit transportation operations increased to $275,000 from approximately $125,000, due to adjustments made for run consolidation.

Substitute teachers are budgeted at $475,000, up $20,000 based on current trends.

Cyber charter tuition is budgeted at $1,455,000, while curriculum renewals for science and math are budgeted at $201,300 a year for a three-year renewal. Also, the approved special education curriculum is now included at an annual increase of $105,303 plus additional resources.

Food service budget

The food service budget is $3,102,068. Governor Mifflin will continue to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision for the 2026-27 school year. Breakfast and lunch will be available to all students at no cost; adult lunch is $5.25, adult breakfast will be $3.00, and à la carte will increase items as necessary.

The budget notes the funds in the food service department’s reserve account have been used to purchase the new equipment for the new kitchen space in the high school. This equipment will help the staff increase scratch cooking options for students and staff, as well as improve quality of the food served.

Governor Mifflin provided meals to its students under the Community Eligibility Provision via the National School Lunch Program. The federal meal subsidy was higher than budgeted. Operating under CEP has shown a continued increase in overall participation across all district buildings for both breakfast and lunch, the district’s food service director wrote in the budget proposal.

Summer food service

The Summer Food Service Program provides meals to students age 18 and under from May 26 through Aug.14. The budgeted revenue is $45,000. ESY will operate two weeks in June and three weeks in July which generally increases program participation by about 100 students Monday through Thursday. Based on projected summer food service program participation, a small profit is anticipated and will be used to purchase more seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables from local vendors and to purchase better quality food items.

Other agreements

The school board renewed the Student Accident & Sports Insurance for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, as recommended by Tompkins Insurance, as broker, with Alive Risk, at an annual premium of $11,386.50. It covers all sports and swim programs and includes a rider for assault/violent crimes at no increase.

Also, the board approved a renewal agreement with the Berks County Intermediate Unit to provide special education and early intervention services for the 2026-27 school year, and approved a renewal master services agreement with Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services, West Chester, to provide special education services for identified students.

In addition, the board approved a lease agreement with GDC IT Solutions, Chambersburg, to provide a refresh of 1,050 Chromebooks for fourth, fifth and ninth grades. The lease term is 48 months, effective July 1, 2026, at a cost of $7,879.96 per month. This replaces the Vantage Financial lease agreement previously approved on April 20, 2026, as those devices are no longer available.