Let’s be honest: no one wants to raise taxes – not you, not me. I live here too. I’m a homeowner, a taxpayer, and a parent. I feel the same financial pressures you do.
But I also believe in transparency and responsibility. That’s why I want to explain why the current Central Bucks School Board raised taxes by 5.3% last year and is proposing another 5.93% this year. These aren’t easy decisions, but they are necessary ones.
The truth is, we’re paying the price for years of neglect. From 2015 to 2021, there were no tax increases in Central Bucks. That may have looked like fiscal restraint, but it was actually short-sighted and not fiscally responsible. Meanwhile, the real cost of educating students kept rising – salaries, transportation, building upkeep, insurance, utilities – all going up like they do for every household.
Today, we’re facing a $15 million deficit. Many of our schools are in need of significant updates because necessary maintenance and repairs were delayed for years. These are things that should have been taken care of gradually, over time, but they weren’t. Now construction costs and interest rates are higher, and we’re left playing catch-up.
One of our district leaders, Tara Houser, explained it clearly: “The eight years of no tax increases and delayed maintenance on buildings has now come home to roost.”
Here’s the hard truth: had those prior boards simply raised taxes by 1.5% each year, just enough to keep up with inflation, our 2025–26 tax rate would be virtually identical to what’s now projected and we would have raised millions in additional revenue along the way. Instead, prior leadership chose to kick the can down the road – and now the bill is due.
Over the past 10 years student enrollment in the Central Bucks School District has decreased by 1,901, which may lead some people to ask, “If we have fewer students, why aren’t costs going down?” That’s a fair question, but schools don’t work that way. Whether a class has 18 kids or 22, the building still needs heat, the lights still need to be on, and the teachers still need to get paid. Costs go up every year, no matter what.
“The eight years of no tax increases and delayed maintenance on buildings has now come home to roost.” – Central Bucks School District COO Tara Houser
It’s important to put into perspective, even with the recent tax increases, Central Bucks still has the fourth-lowest school tax rate in Bucks County, even though we’re the largest district.
The raise in taxes is not simply to catch up — we’re also working to move forward:
- We’re offering full-day kindergarten for the first time ever, which gives kids a stronger start and helps attract young families to the district.
- We’re updating school buildings, many of which are overdue for repairs.
- We’re improving how schools are organized, to make better use of space and resources.
- We’re working to retain and hire great teachers and support staff, because strong schools depend on strong staff.
We also recognize that rising costs hit some harder than others. That’s why I helped usher in Property Tax and Rent Rebate Resolution, modeled after programs running in neighboring districts, which our board is preparing to pass on June 18. The Resolution will provide meaningful relief to seniors, lower-income homeowners and renters, and residents with disabilities. The cost to the district will be modest, but the difference it makes in their lives will be profound.
Great schools matter for everyone in our community — even if you don’t have children in the system. Families want to move into areas with great schools. That demand helps raise home values. In fact, homes in thriving school districts tend to keep their value better in hard times, and grow in value faster in stronger economic times.
Some people may say, “We shouldn’t raise taxes.” But there’s really no way around it now. The money simply isn’t there to keep up with the needs of our students, staff, and buildings. We’re doing what should have been done years ago: taking care of the basics, planning for the future, and making sure our schools stay strong.
These are not easy choices, but they are the right ones.
As a board, our financial decisions aren’t just about balancing a budget – they’re about making sure every student has access to high-quality learning, outstanding teachers, and the tools they need to succeed.
Our students deserve safe buildings, updated classrooms, and outstanding educators who can deliver the kind of education every child deserves. Our community deserves thoughtful planning, fiscal transparency, and schools that strengthen both lives and property values. We’re making these decisions now because strong schools build strong communities, and Central Bucks is worth the investment.
