WEST CHESTER, PA — The West Chester Area School District Board of Directors approved a $344.99 million budget for the 2026-27 school year, increasing spending by $11.1 million while raising property taxes for residents in both Chester and Delaware counties to fund staffing, student services, special education costs, and capital projects.
The approved budget totals $344,989,797, a 3.33% increase from the 2025-26 budget. District officials reported that the largest expenditure remains employee salaries and benefits, which account for more than $222 million of the spending plan.
The budget includes more than $550,000 in new staffing aimed at expanding instructional support, student services, and wellness initiatives. District officials noted that the additions align with goals outlined in the district’s 2025-2028 comprehensive plan.
Additional spending increases include $2.2 million for contracted special education services and alternative education tuition, $450,000 for instructional materials and student assessment tools, and $1 million in additional debt-service payments tied to building renovation projects.
Superintendent Dr. David Christopher stated the budget is intended to support students while maintaining the district’s long-term financial stability. “This budget represents an investment in our students, our staff, and the future of our community,” Christopher said. “At the same time, we remain focused on balancing our financial responsibilities with the educational opportunities and supports our students need to thrive.”
The district explained that it balanced the budget through revenue analysis, operational planning, and the use of savings generated during the 2025-26 fiscal year.
To fund the spending plan, the board approved a 3.3% property tax increase for Chester County residents and a 7.6% increase for residents in the Delaware County portion of the district.
District officials attributed the difference to updated market-value calculations from the Pennsylvania State Tax Equalization Board. According to the district, Chester County property values increased 8.2% while Delaware County values increased 12.9%, shifting a larger share of the district’s tax burden to Delaware County taxpayers.
For the 2026-27 school year, the real estate tax rate will be 24.16 mills in Chester County and 12.22 mills in Delaware County.
Based on average assessed property values, the district estimates the increase will add approximately $148 annually for the average Chester County homeowner and about $433 annually for the average Delaware County homeowner.
The district reported an undesignated fund balance of approximately $21.2 million and said savings from current-year operations helped reduce the need for larger millage increases.
District officials also noted that the West Chester Area School District’s property tax rates remain the lowest among school districts in both Chester and Delaware counties.
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