Bensalem School District: 2026 Budget Deficit, Tax Increase & Middle School Project

Welcome to the Bensalem School Budget & Infrastructure Portal —

Your complete resource for coverage of the Bensalem School District’s 2026 budget deficit, proposed property tax increase, charter school funding impact, and the future of the Middle School Project.

The district is currently facing a projected $6.5 million budget shortfall. The School Board is considering an 8.25% property tax increase while also addressing the long-term costs of aging middle school facilities. Officials cite multiple financial pressures, including the expiration of federal relief funds and a sharp increase in state-mandated charter school payments.

Many residents are searching for clear information about how the proposed tax increase and charter school costs may affect their property taxes in 2026.

This page organizes all Bensalem Weekly reporting related to the 2026 school budget, tax discussions, School Board decisions, and infrastructure planning. It is updated as new developments occur.

Last updated: February 7, 2026

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).

Bensalem School Board Proposes 2026-27 Budget with Significant Tax Hike

The Big Takeaway Bensalem Township School District has released its preliminary budget for the 2026-2027 school year, signaling a potential tax increase that exceeds the...

What Bensalem’s School Tax Increase Means for Your Wallet

The Bensalem School Board's proposed budget includes an 8.25% property tax increase. Here's what that means in actual dollars for homeowners across different price...

Two Budgets, Two Tax Bills: Township vs. School District Explained

Bensalem Township Councilman Joey Wenzel Jr recently clarified an important point: Bensalem Township and Bensalem Township School District are completely separate governments. He's right—and...

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.

How a Charter School Spike Created Bensalem’s $12 Million Budget Crisis

The Bensalem School Board gathered on January 14, 2026, to discuss what Business Administrator John Steffy called "a significant budget challenge."That was putting it...

School Board Recap: District Faces Severe Financial Crisis – Jan 28th

The district is facing a “severe budget situation” after exceeding its 2024-2025 budget by over $3 million, leaving the “fund balance” (savings) at a critical low of $3 million—not enough to cover a single month of salaries.

The $6.5 Million Leak: Is a Flawed Funding Loophole Bankrupting Bensalem Schools?

As the Bensalem Township School District Board grapples with a staggering $188 million preliminary budget and a proposed 8.25% tax increase, a single statistic...

By The Numbers: Bensalem’s School Budget Crisis Explained

If you're wondering why your property taxes keep climbing while your school district talks about cuts, the answer is in the numbers.Our investigation published...

The Future

What it is: Infrastructure, leadership, and the long-term roadmap. Why read this: Beyond the current budget, what is the status of the Middle School Project? Who is making these decisions? This section features our “Meet the Board” guide and updates on Bensalem’s major construction plans.

Bensalem Weighs $115–$170 Million Middle School Overhaul: What Parents Need to Know

Bensalem's middle school project has evolved from a simple build vs. renovate choice into a complex district-wide capacity puzzle. Here's where it stands in 2026.

Meet the 2026 Bensalem School Board: Who Represents You?

Meet the nine neighbors making decisions for Bensalem schools in 2026. New members, new leadership under Dr. Deborah King, and an immediate budget crisis with an 8.25% tax increase on the table for February 18.

FAQ: The Bensalem 2026 Budget Crisis

Q: Why is the Bensalem School District facing a $6.5 million deficit?

A: The deficit is driven by a “perfect storm” of fiscal pressures: the expiration of federal COVID-relief (ESSER) funds, a massive 360% spike in state-mandated charter school special education costs since 2022, and rising operational costs that have outpaced the state’s funding index.

Q: How much will the proposed 8.25% tax increase cost the average homeowner?

A: While the final rate will be determined in the June budget, an 8.25% increase would be one of the largest in recent history. We have broken down the potential impact on property taxes based on median home assessments in our Tax Increase Impact Guide.

Q: Is the new Middle School Project still moving forward?

A: Currently, the project is on hold due to the budget crisis. While there is an urgent need to create space for incoming students, particularly in special education, board members have characterized a full-scale middle school overhaul as a “pipe dream” until the $6.5 million funding gap is addressed.

Q: When is the final vote on the Bensalem school budget?

A: The Board is scheduled to vote on the Preliminary Budget on February 18, 2026. This vote sets the “ceiling” for any potential tax increases. The final budget adoption must legally occur by June 30, 2026.