Development News for Horsham, Pennsylvania

School District Finalizes Balanced 2026-2027 Budget with 3.4% Tax Increase

The school district is finalizing its 2026-2027 budget, aiming for a balanced budget with a 3.4% real estate tax increase. This is below the Act 1 index and represents a significant reduction in expenditures from initial deficit projections. The budget includes investments and efficiencies, with final approval and adoption scheduled for June 15th. Several related actions, including approving the millage rate, homestead/farmstead credit, and tax payment deadlines, will also be considered. Additionally, the board will review the continuation of property tax rebate programs for senior citizens, disabled residents, and emergency services volunteers, as well as establish committed fund balances and approve purchasing cooperatives and insurance policy renewals. The estimated cost increase for insurance policies is around $62,000 due to market conditions, though cyber liability insurance premiums are decreasing.

Keith Valley Construction Update: Savings on Abatement, New HVAC Challenges, and Athletic Field Progress

An update on the Keith Valley Middle School construction project included significant progress and change orders. Abatement work by Plymouth Environmental was completed under budget, resulting in savings of $161,030 for the district. A change order of over $56,000 for the general contractor, Burrow Construction, covers items like building finishes and replenishing attic stock. Progress is evident in the athletic fields, with a new retaining wall and storm water piping installed. A discovery of an old dump site during storm water line construction led to a supplemental soil cost of $32,000. The gym floor at Keith Valley is playable despite some humps, which are being addressed by investigating HVAC humidity control and issuing a warranty claim. Significant challenges with rooftop HVAC units (Annex Air) are being managed through warranty claims, including issues with leaking coils, cracked drain pans (repaired with Flex Seal), and faulty mixed air temperature sensing probes. The district has issued a warranty claim to all involved parties to protect its interests. Masonry cracking at the high school was investigated; engineers found no structural deficiencies, recommending crack monitors for further observation. Simmons Elementary is undergoing pool decommissioning, including locker room demolition and filling the pool, with completion expected by mid-July. High school tennis courts are being resurfaced, with an unexpected discovery of a second court beneath the existing one, leading to additional costs for milling and restoration, estimated at $75,000. A new ADA-compliant elevator is being constructed at Simmons Elementary, on schedule for completion by the start of the 2026-27 school year, with the old elevator's decommissioning planned for summer 2027. An air handling unit servicing the high school cafeteria, original to the building and past its useful life, requires replacement at an accelerated cost of $132,177 from Johnson Controls, funded by the capital reserve fund.

Senior Student Board Representatives Honored for Service

The school board acknowledged and thanked two graduating senior student school board representatives, Lily Hall and Nithia Nara, for their two years of service. Their contributions provided valuable student insights and strengthened the connection between students and the board. Hall will attend Penn State University to study communications, and Nara will attend Thomas Jefferson University on a premed track. The meeting also included a presentation on the upcoming school year's budget, an update on construction projects, and community input regarding technology policies.

Student Leaders Honored for Contributions to School Culture and Community

The school board meeting recognized several student leaders for their contributions. High school principal Angela Whan highlighted the passion and dedication of student leaders who have shaped school culture and impacted the district. Recognized students included Nita Nara and Lily Hall (senior school board representatives), Colin Delhi (Editor-in-Chief of the Hatackhat), student council leaders (Zana Abed, Galleria Asido, Kathleen Costello, Natalie Lynn) for the Feed a Friend campaign, HHTV student leaders (Charlotte Chapman, Jack Capatelli), Hatter Student Union leaders (Sydney Matthews, Sydney Castle, Aiden Chant), yearbook student leadership (Brooke Bell, Lily Hall), National Art Honor Society president Allison Kim, and National Honor Society student leadership (Deb Seavalia, Sydney Castle, Aiden Chan, Natalie Lang). The superintendent and board members expressed gratitude for their service and leadership.