ASD Budget Forum 2026

The Allentown School District held its ASD Budget Forum on May 21, 2026, to discuss the district's six-year budget history, revenue sources, expenditures, and capital improvement plans. Key procurement-related topics included the district's revenue breakdown from local taxes, state funding (notably a 30.9% increase in the Ready to Learn grant), and federal grants. Expenditures were detailed, highlighting that approximately 60% of the budget goes to salaries and benefits, with about 20% allocated to charter school tuition and related transportation costs. The district is financially strong with a balanced budget and a low debt service ratio of 4%, indicating underinvestment in facilities. A significant deferred maintenance backlog of $463 million was identified, with a prioritized plan to address $19 million in repairs over the next three to five years. New construction projects include a 208,000 square foot K-8 Academy and an expansion of Bridgeview Academy focused on STEM education. To fund these initiatives, the district proposed a 2.9% millage rate increase, translating to an average $71 annual tax increase per residential homeowner. The forum also covered federal Title I and Title II funding uses, including professional development and supplies procurement. The school board is scheduled to approve the preliminary budget in June, with public inspection and further community engagement planned.