The Council Rock School Board approved a $333 million budget for 2026-2027 in a 5-3 vote. The budget includes a 3.5% real estate tax increase — the maximum permitted under Pennsylvania's Act 1 index. The budget adds 14.4 positions focused on special services, funds new five-year staff contracts with higher starting salaries, and makes no cuts to academic or extracurricular programs. The board also voted to commission a $63,900 special education audit by the Chester County Intermediate Unit, set to begin around July 8 and wrap up within six months with a written report and recommendations. Superintendent Dr. Andrew Sanko highlighted a strong close to the 2025-2026 year, noting 881 seniors earned over $15 million in scholarships and that full-day kindergarten's first year produced a 40% gain in reading scores.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 6/22/2026