The Central Bucks School Board unanimously approved a $440.9 million budget for the coming school year, raising taxes 5.7% — which required state approval, with the district citing special education needs as a reason to exceed its Act 1 cap. The typical homeowner will pay about $334 more. The increase marks the sixth consecutive annual tax hike, and taxes on the average Central Bucks home have risen by a cumulative $1,231 since the 2020-2021 fiscal year. To offset some costs, the board eliminated several administrative positions, including a district-wide athletic director, saving roughly $850,000. The budget funds major ongoing projects, including building renovations, a grade realignment requiring expanded high school space, and the full implementation of full-day kindergarten for the first time. Despite the repeated hikes, the district's deficit has grown to a projected 4.2%, and board members have framed the increases as necessary catch-up spending after six consecutive years without any tax increases prior to 2021-2022. Central Bucks still maintains a lower property tax rate than most other Bucks County public schools.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 6/14/2026