shieldoftruthnetwork (@shieldoftruthnetwork)

Attention Upper Perkiomen Taxpayers: A Proposed Nearly 12% Property Tax Increase Is Still on the Table - Continued School Board Meeting - Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Your Voice Matters At the June 18 Upper Perkiomen School Board meeting, many residents came out to show their concern, but very few actually spoke during public comment. The School Board could not reach a consensus on the budget or on a proposed 1% millage increase that would translate into nearly a 12% property tax increase for residents. Instead of taking a final vote, the board scheduled an additional meeting on Thursday, June 25 at 6PM, to continue discussions and hear more taxpayer input. Also at the June 18 meeting, board members expressed differing views on how to address the district's financial challenges. Some emphasized preserving reserve funds for potential future needs and hypothetical "what if" scenarios, while others questioned whether possibilities that may never materialize should outweigh the very real financial pressures families, seniors, and taxpayers are facing today. Concerns were also raised about the implications of not adopting a budget by June 30, but some residents questioned whether too much attention was being placed on hypothetical consequences and not enough on fully exploring spending reductions, efficiencies, and other available options. Other board members acknowledged that ideas for tightening operations and doing business differently, some raised more than a year ago, still need to be addressed, with one member noting that after presenting a list of ideas at a finance committee meeting, they did not feel they were taken seriously and were "laughed at a little bit." Meanwhile, another board member spent a significant portion of their remarks shifting attention toward national politics, local politicians and representatives, and companies such as Walmart and Amazon. For many taxpayers, it came across as playing the blame game rather than addressing the difficult local questions of spending, efficiencies, and budget reductions that remain squarely before this School Board. Nobody wants to shortchange kids. But every family in this community has already had to tighten its belt and make difficult choices about groceries, gasoline, insurance, heating oil, and everyday bills. The school district cannot be exempt from those same realities. It must find efficiencies, control spending, make difficult decisions, and stop treating taxpayers like an unlimited ATM. For the 2025-26 school year, the district approved an approximately $85.1 million budget and increased the millage rate by 3.5%. Less than a year later, taxpayers are now facing a proposed 1% millage increase that would result in nearly a 12% property tax increase for many residents. At some point, taxpayers have to ask, "When is enough enough?" The answer cannot always be, "Raise taxes." The decision has not been made. After two meetings, the School Board still could not reach a consensus on whether additional financial burdens should be placed on taxpayers and, if so, how much. There is still an opportunity to influence the outcome, but only if more residents step forward and make their voices heard. Don't assume someone else will speak for you. Attend the June 25 meeting. When you get there, sign up for public comment. If taxpayers remain silent, others will make this decision for them. Upper Perkiomen School Board Meeting - Continued Board Meeting Thursday, June 25, 2026 6:00 PM Upper Perkiomen Education Center 2229 E. Buck Road Pennsburg, PA #UPSD #Taxes #PropertyTaxes #Unsustainable #TaxIncrease #SchoolTaxes #Taxpayers #SchoolBoard #FiscalResponsibility #MakeYourVoiceHeard #EnoughIsEnough #UpperPerk #UpperPerkiomen