Bensalem School District: The 2026 Budget & Middle School Crisis Portal
Welcome to the Bensalem School Budget & Infrastructure Portal
Bensalem is currently facing its most significant fiscal challenge in a generation. With a $6.5 million deficit looming, a proposed 8.25% tax increase on the table, and the future of our aging middle schools hanging in the balance, residents are searching for clarity amid the noise.
The current School Board, seated in December 2025, has inherited a “perfect storm” of financial pressures—ranging from the expiration of federal relief funds to a staggering 360% spike in state-mandated charter school costs.
At Bensalem Weekly, we believe an informed community is a powerful one. We have built this portal to serve as your central hub for factual, independent reporting. Whether you are looking for a breakdown of your property tax impact, an investigation into where the money is “leaking,” or the latest updates on the Middle School Project, you will find it here.
The Money
What it is: The hard numbers behind the $188 million proposal. Why read this: If you want to see exactly how much your property taxes could go up and how the district plans to spend every dollar, start here. This section includes our tax calculator breakdown and the “List of Unpleasantness” (proposed cuts).
What it is: A deep dive into the inherited financial crisis. Learn how state-mandated charter funding and ‘statistically unlikely’ cost spikes are driving the deficit—and why local board members say their hands are tied by Harrisburg. Why read this: The 8.25% tax hike didn’t happen in a vacuum. Learn how state-mandated charter school funding and “statistically unlikely” spikes in costs are forcing the board’s hand.
