As the current chair of the Budget and Finance Committee for the Upper Moreland School District Board of School Directors, I am deeply tuned into the realities of our local tax system and how it affects both our schools and our township’s operating budgets.

Unlike some of our neighboring communities, Upper Moreland simply doesn’t have the room for large-scale growth or new development. That means our tax base is essentially stagnant. At the same time, many commercial property owners are appealing their tax assessments in an effort to reduce their tax burden. While this is their legal right, each successful appeal shifts the balance and leaves fewer resources to fund our schools and township services.

This challenge is compounded by rising costs of goods, labor, and utilities—costs that affect families, small businesses, and local government alike. I fully understand the strain this puts on residents living on fixed or limited incomes, and I empathize with small businesses that work hard to keep their doors open while facing property tax bills that feel overwhelming.

There are no easy answers. Balancing the need to provide a strong education for our children, maintain essential services, and respect the financial realities of households and businesses is a difficult task. But it is one I take seriously, and one I am committed to approaching with fairness, transparency, and a genuine respect for the people who call Upper Moreland home.