Brentwood SD Approves 2026-27 Budget with No Tax Increase

BRENTWOOD, Pa.; June 17, 2026 – The Brentwood Borough Board of School Directors have approved the 2026-27 district budget and it does not include a tax increase for Brentwood residents. The Board approved the budget at its regular June meeting.

District Business Manager Jennifer Pesanka made the initial budget presentation at the Board’s April meeting, the Board approved a preliminary final budget at its May 11 meeting and the preliminary final budget was available for public viewing through June 12.

The Board approved a budget of $33,291,890 for 2026-27, with anticipated revenues of $33,146,420. The deficit of $145,470 will be covered from the district’s assigned fund balance for increases in salaries and benefits ($127,433) and the committed fund balance for some technology needs ($18,037).

The district’s millage rate will remain 39.1977 mills (same as last year), based on a median home value of $86,400 in Brentwood, for an average tax amount of $3,387 on a median Brentwood home in 2026-27.

“While our district continues to face rising costs, declining real estate values and new operational expenses associated with maintaining our facilities, we are grateful for the significant support provided through the Commonwealth’s Ready to Learn Grant and adjustments to Pennsylvania’s Fair Funding formula,” said Superintendent Dr. Amy Burch.

“These investments are helping us strengthen educational opportunities for our students, expand critical staffing and student services, support the transition to our new Brentwood Elementary School and responsibly manage taxpayer resources,” she added.

Primary Areas Impacting Expenses

Some of the areas with the most significant impacts on the district’s 2026-27 expenses are:

-Real estate values, which increased during COVID-19 but began to decrease last year. The downward trend in real estate values in combination with the lowering of the common level ratio continue to negatively impact the district’s revenues.

-Continuing increases in the cost of necessary school purchases, equipment, services, health insurance and benefits for staff;

-Storm water management fee, which Brentwood Borough passed during the past year and will result in a nearly $20,000 new budget expense;

-Capital improvements, which will include replacing ramps outside the Middle-High School activities building;

-Brentwood Elementary School utilities and custodial equipment purchases for the new school, which is on schedule to open September 8.

Ready to Learn Grant Provides Budget Boost

The district has benefitted from a significant increase in the Commonwealth’s Ready to Learn Grant. For many years, the district annually received $218,768 from this grant. But, due to fair funding lawsuit and fight for equitable funding, Brentwood Borough SD is receiving $2,378,179 from the Ready to Learn Grant in the upcoming year.

The foundation and adequacy portion of the Ready to Learn Grant totals nearly $2 million for Brentwood SD and in 2026-27 will fund these positions: 

-Elementary Life Skills teacher;

-Elementary paraprofessional;

-High School counselor;

-Spanish teacher

The Ready to Learn Grant’s foundation and adequacy portion also will fund establishing a School Psychologist (new position). It also funds expanding the salaries and benefits for the district’s Kindergarten teachers, which includes adding a fifth Kindergarten teacher for 2026-27, the first year all Brentwood K-5 students will learn in the new Brentwood Elementary School.

The district also is making the following purchases for 2026-27 due to the increased foundation and adequacy portion of the Ready to Learn Grant:

-New Chromebooks for 6^th and 9^th grade students;

-Start-up purchases for the re-imagined elementary special classes (art, music, physical education, media literacy) in the new building;

-An iPad cart for the new Music Theory and Jazz classes;

-Books for Chemistry, Physics and revamped Personal Finance classes;

-New curriculum and training for middle and high school ELA teachers;

-Stools for middle school Science classroom;

-AP Summer Institute training

The district is receiving $475,497 in Tax Adequacy as part of the Ready to Learn Grant. This portion of the grant has been designated by the Board to pay for the district’s debt service payments for the GOB 2023 and 2024 series in full and 71% of the principal debt service payment for the 2025 series.

An additional grant received by the district, the School Safety Grant, will fund new software for the security cameras located at each of the district’s facilities.

Tax Collection Rate Strong and Increasing

The district has had a strong and steady collection of real estate taxes above 91 percent in recent years. The 2026-27 collection rate is projected to rise to 94.77%, with a six-year collection rate average of 92.65%.

The district also recently received approximately $1.4 million in delinquent tax revenue and much of this revenue will be used to fund the exterior ramps project at the Middle-High School (projected cost of $1-1.5 million for the work).

Brentwood Borough School District has consistently demonstrated fiscal responsibility for its residents and will continue to do so, while providing a strong educational experience for the Borough’s diverse student population.

The Brentwood Borough School District serves approximately 1,100 students and is located six miles south of downtown Pittsburgh in the South Hills.

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