The Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation has officially approved its budget of $142 million for 2026. This marks an important achievement for the schools fiscal plan and commitment to education. After months of deliberate discussion as well as public input sessions and an in depth analysis of the financials The school board voted unanimously to approve the budget at its September 8th, 2025 meeting and set the stage for improved opportunities for education across all of the Indiana district. This budget size is an investment in the future of students achievement competitive teacher compensation as well as critical infrastructure upgrades that will benefit more than 10,900 students across the Penn Harris Madison region.
Penn-Harris-Madison school Budget 2026 Key Components
The budget total of $142 million comprises four distinct funds that are designed to cover all aspects of the districts operations. The education fund is the most significant portion, at $88.1 million which is devoted to teaching in the classroom along with curriculum development, as well as direct services for students. The operating fund is $37 million for the maintenance of facilities transportation as well as administrative functions. In addition, the debt service fund is $17.7 million for current financial obligations and a rainy day fund is used to provide reserves for emergencies.
The budget is a demonstration of the districts commitment towards fiscal responsibility while ensuring that the school remains an excellent educational institution. The comprehensive plan ensures sufficient funding for both day today operations as well as long term strategic plans that help students, staff and the entire community.
Penn-Harris-Madison school Budget 2026 Overview
| Category | Amount | Percentage | Primary Focus |
| Education Fund | $88.1 million | 61.8% | Classroom instruction, curriculum, student services |
| Operations Fund | $37.0 million | 25.9% | Administration, facilities, transportation |
| Debt Service | $17.7 million | 12.4% | Leasing obligations, bonds and bond payments |
| Capital Projects | $32.6 million | 22.9% | Safety, maintenance and infrastructure |
| Transportation | $2.1 million | 1.5% | Bus replacement program |
Penn-Harris-Madison school Revenue Sources and Financial Foundation
The revenue structure of the district is based heavily on the state’s funding formulas which provide about 61% of its total income. Basic tuition support incorporating complex variables yields $79.4 million which is an increase of $316 per Average Day Membership (ADM) student when compared to last year. Special education funding is $6.7 million and the career as well as technical programs get $2.1 million of state funding.
The local property tax levy generates 28% of the revenues and the operations fund receiving $20 million from property tax. The district anticipates the reduction of 4% in assessed valuation which is approximately $3.86 billion which requires careful budget control to keep the current levels of service. Federal programs as well as other sources of revenue make up the remaining 11 percent in the overall budget.
Employee Compensation and Benefits Budget
The budget provides an 3.25 percent salary increase to all employees of the district. This is a sign of the school board dedication to competitive compensation packages. The increase is available to administrators, teachers as well as support staff and the rest of district employees and will help Penn Harris Madison remain at the forefront of recruiting and keeping top educators.
The current salary range for teachers varies between $48,370 and $82,000 per year for teachers in high school and the district has an extensive benefits package that includes health insurance. The increase in salaries is significant investments in human capital. The district is aware the importance of quality education in recruiting and keeping top teachers.
Capital Improvements and Infrastructure Investment Budget
The budget that was approved contains significant capital improvements that total more than $32 million across a variety of categories. Infrastructure maintenance is given $3.75 million to repair roofs chiller systems, piping and upgrading piping systems across district facilities. Improvements to buildings amount to $750,000 for paint, carpet repair and maintenance of ceiling tiles.
Safety improvements receive a dedicated budget of $500,000 to fund replacement of fire alarm systems and additional security precautions. A supplemental budget of 2 million assures the district is able to respond to sudden needs for facilities all year long. In addition $25.6 million supports lease approved maintenance projects over a number of years.
Transportation and Fleet Management Budget
The district runs a comprehensive five-year replacement program that will require $2.1 million by 2026 to replace 10 old buses from the fleet of 139. This systemic approach will ensure the safety of students while reducing costs efficiently by planning replacements, not just emergency purchases.
The budget for transportation reflects the districts dedication to student safety and reliable service throughout its vast geographic region. The coming years will see continued modernization of the fleet with 11 buses set to be replaced in 2027 and various numbers throughout 2030.
Student Enrollment and Demographic Projections Budget
Penn-Harris Madison serves around 10,944 students including students who are virtual The enrollment has remained steady over the past few years. The district has two days of official student count to determine the states funding levels which makes accurate projections of enrollment crucial to budget planning.
The district has maintained steady student enrollments between 10,900 and 11,300 students for the past 10 years resulting in reliable income streams to plan purposes. This stability permits strategic planning for the long term and allocation of resources across all education programs.
Community Impact and Educational Programs Budget
The budget focuses on student success through improved program offerings as well as competitive compensation for staff. Special education services receive substantial funds that is $6.7 million, providing the best possible support for students who have diverse learning requirements. Technical and career related education programs continue to receive $2.1 million of funding dedicated to them to prepare students for postsecondary achievement.
Academic performance grants of $484,624 will provide additional funds to education excellence programs. The funds are used to support the development of curriculum as well as professional development innovative teaching methods that directly impact students learning outcomes.
Budget 2026 Timeline and Implementation
The process of budget approval took place on an planned schedule starting with the distribution of worksheets in April 2025. It culminated in the September 8th adoption meeting. Hearings for the public in August 11th, 2025 gave the public an opportunity to provide input prior to the final approval.
The process will begin immediately and budget approval is expected by the end of December 2025. The method of implementation is designed to ensure transparency and accountability while also meeting the state’s requirements for the management of school finances.
The Penn Harris Madison School Corporation’s acceptance of the budget for 2026 of $142 million offers a shrewd approach to funding for education which focuses on student performance while also ensuring fiscal responsibility. Through extensive planning and a commitment to the community the district has developed a financial plan that allows for the competitive pay of employees, crucial infrastructure enhancements and improved educational programs. This budget enables Penn-Harris-Madison to continue providing high-quality education while adjusting to changing needs of the community and keeping its dedication to excellence in public education.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the budget total in 2026 that has been approved?
The Penn Harris Madison School Corporation has approved a budget of $142 million for 2026. That is an increase of 0.44 percentage increase over the prior fiscal year’s $142.2 million spending plan.
What are the salaried increases in 2026 for employees?
District employees will be given an 3.25 percentage salary increase for the school year 2025-2026 which will affect administrators, teachers and support staff across the district.
What major capital improvements are scheduled?
The district allocated a total of $32 million to capital improvements comprising $3.75 million for maintenance of infrastructure and $750,000 for building upgrades as well as $500,000 for safety upgrades and $25.6 millions for maintenance leases approved projects.
