May 12, 2026 Meeting of the Abington Board of School Directors

The Abington School District Board of School Directors held a meeting on May 12, 2026, which included extensive discussions on the financing and construction of a new middle school as part of a $285 million capital improvement project. Financial advisors from Raymond James and bond counsel presented a general obligation bond parameters resolution to fund the project, outlining a phased borrowing plan with a maximum principal amount of approximately $270 million. The board approved the resolution, allowing flexibility in issuing bonds in multiple series to manage interest rates and project costs. The meeting also covered the proposed final general fund budget for the 2026-27 school year, including a 3.5% Act 1 index tax increase and a referendum exception millage for the middle school project. Additionally, the board approved a $50,000 grant-funded bid advertisement for improvements to the middle school softball field. The board awarded contracts for a visitor management system and district assessment software, with the visitor management system contract corrected to start July 1, 2026. Public comments addressed concerns about the middle school project costs and budget transparency. The meeting concluded with updates on the middle school design, emphasizing sustainable building features and ADA accessibility, and plans for community engagement and construction phasing.