Funding the Plan
A Community-Funded Plan for Abington Middle School
After a multi-year planning process, the District is proposing to build a new Middle School. This plan reflects the voices of our community. Teachers and staff, parents/guardians, students, and residents have provided valuable input and guided District decision-making throughout the process.
The District has worked carefully to ensure that the proposed $285 million bond referendum meets the needs of students and staff, reflects our community’s priorities, and provides long-term value for this taxpayer investment in our school.
On Tuesday, May 20, Abington Township and Borough of Rockledge residents will vote on a $285 million bond to build a new Middle School. If the referendum is approved by a majority vote, the estimated tax impact on a median homestead in the District with a current implied market value of $387,402 would be $54 per month. The earliest that any tax impact would go into effect would be July 2026, but the full tax impact will be phased in over several years to reflect when the bonds for the project are issued. The exact timing of the subsequent tax impact is not known at this time, but if the referendum is approved by voters, the Board of School Directors will determine a schedule for bond issuance during the design phase.
Calculate Your Tax Impact!
Use our tax calculator to determine your estimated tax impact if the proposed Middle School plan is approved by voters.
Click here to see a comparison chart of millage rates in Montgomery County.
Get The Facts
What does it take to build a new Middle School? See our project cost breakdown to learn more.
Why is a Referendum Needed?
Voter-approved funding is an essential way for Pennsylvania school districts to make significant investments in education, facilities and operations without hindering routine school operations and day-to-day student needs.
Through extensive community engagement, a majority of teachers and staff, parents/guardians, and residents who engaged with the District in this process said the community should have the opportunity to vote on a plan through a referendum.
By seeking a referendum, voters have a direct voice in decisions that impact public education and local tax rates.
Why Can’t the District Make Emergency Repairs or Renovations to the Current Middle School Using Its Operating Budget?
The repairs and renovations needed at the Middle School to keep it operational exceed the funding available in the District’s operating budget. For example, fixing only the most urgent repairs is estimated to cost over $100 million. Financing these repairs would have an annual impact of $8.3 million on the operating budget over the next 20 years. Renovating the building – without the construction of a necessary addition to provide adequate square footage to provide a modern educational program – would double that cost and budget impact.
Emergency repairs or renovations would require the District to make difficult budget decisions that affect all schools, including cuts to classroom education, staff, programs, student services, athletics and activities. It would also disrupt education during the multi-year repair process. Learn more about what would happen if the referendum fails on our FAQ Page.
Voters Will Decide
Our community helped shape this plan, and Abington Township and Borough of Rockledge voters will decide whether it moves forward when they cast their ballots on the referendum on Tuesday, May 20.
To learn when and how to vote, visit the Vote Page.