WEST CHESTER, PA — The West Chester Area School District (WCASD) School Board recently approved a $333,897,499 general fund budget for the 2025-26 school year. This marks an $11.3 million, or 3.51 percent, increase over the prior year’s budget. The additional funding supports WCASD’s commitment to high-quality education, fiscal responsibility, and student-focused growth initiatives.
The largest share of the budget, more than $217 million, is allocated for staff salaries and benefits. This represents a significant investment in the student learning experience, aligning with the district’s 2025-2028 comprehensive plan. To further this goal, more than $1 million will go toward new staffing aimed at personalizing instruction, enhancing wellness programs, and expanding access to crucial student services.
“This budget ensures we can continue providing the essential programs, experiences, and supports that help all students grow and succeed,” said WCASD Superintendent Dr. David Christopher. “Sustaining these opportunities is key to delivering on our mission every day.”
Beyond academics, the budget also provides increased funding for programs designed to strengthen students’ sense of belonging and engagement at all grade levels.
Key Cost Drivers
Several mandated expenses contributed to the budget increase, including the following:
- $2.76 million rise in state-mandated pension costs (PSERS)
- $1.1 million increase in transportation and contracted services
- $1.3 million increase in instructional materials, including books, supplies, and assessment tools
Despite these rising costs, WCASD maintained a balanced budget through careful financial planning and revenue analysis. By identifying alternative revenue sources and utilizing savings from previous operational budgets, the district worked to minimize the impact on taxpayers.
“As a board, our goal is to balance the educational needs of our students and staff with the interests of our community,” said School Board President Karen Fleming. “This budget reflects thoughtful decisions to continue strong programming while keeping the tax increase well within state guidelines.”
Tax Implications
The board approved a property tax increase of 2.9 percent for both Chester County and Delaware County residents, staying below the state’s Act 1 index of 4.0 percent. This brings the Chester County millage rate to 23.38, while Delaware County’s millage rate rises to 11.36.
For the average assessed home value in Chester County ($189,850), residents will see an annual tax increase of $123. Delaware County residents with an average assessed home value of $502,336 will face an average increase of $161. Notably, WCASD continues to have the lowest millage rates in both counties.
“This budget reflects the board’s continued focus on fiscal responsibility while ensuring the district can meet its obligations to students and staff,” said Vice President Gary Bevilacqua, Chair of the Property and Finance Committee. “We’ve taken a careful approach to maintain strong educational programming and manage rising costs within reasonable limits.”
This budget exemplifies WCASD’s effort to balance financial prudence with investments in education and community-focused initiatives, positioning the district for sustained success heading into the 2025-26 school year.
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