NORTHAMPTON, Pa. — The Northampton Area School Board got a preliminary look this week at projections for the upcoming 2025-26 budget, which shows a $6.3 million deficit.
To balance the budget, school directors are considering scenarios that involve tax increases and using money from the district's fund balance.
School directors agreed at their Monday night meeting not to raise taxes above the Act 1 Index, which for Northampton Area is 4.8%.
At the request of school directors, the district administration provided options Monday for where the district could save money.
They included reducing new library content, stopping indoor air quality testing and eliminating middle school athletics.
The total savings through those and other cuts would be $18.8 million.
“You guys are between a rock and a hard place, but so are we as taxpayers... Do what you got to do. It’s a tough one.”
Paul Nikisher of Lehigh Township
Paul Nikisher of Lehigh Township spoke during public comment about upcoming construction costs and tax increases.
He said he’s concerned about how tax hikes will affect people in the district who already struggle to make ends meet.
“You guys are between a rock and a hard place, but so are we as taxpayers,” he said. “I don’t know where we’re going to get all this money from.”
“Do what you got to do. It’s a tough one.”