ADAMS TWP — At the same time Mars Area School District’s board plans to approve $69.79 million in spending for its 2026-27 budget next week, the district is negotiating with the Mars Area Education Association as the current contract’s expiration looms.

The current contract between the school district and the teachers’ union, which has covered the past six years, expires on June 30.

Next week, the district’s board plans to approve the 2026-27 budget, which will include roughly $4 million in additional spending when compared with the current year.

Alongside the budget, the district plans to keep taxes flat at 110 mills, the first time in three years the district has not raised taxes.

In addition to keeping millage rates flat, the school board is set to maintain a .5% real estate transfer tax and a .5% earned income tax.

According to the budget overview, nearly $1.2 million in additional revenue is anticipated through these taxes due to district growth.

Debbie Brandstetter, the district’s business manager, said last month that millage increases in past years were largely due to staffing increases at the time. She also said the upcoming budget projects increased funding from the state.

According to budget documents, the district’s general fund proposal would allocate roughly $28.33 million toward employee salaries and just over $20 million toward employee benefits.

“The proposed budget includes the continuation of existing educational programs; the retention of all teaching and support staff, including all unfilled support positions; and the replacement of nine retiring teachers and eight retiring support staff members,” the district’s budget overview reads. “The proposed budget also funds 14 new positions for the 2026-2027 school year, including eight new teachers as well as a school counselor, school nurse, assistant principal, evening custodial supervisor, behavior specialist and a school police officer.”

Meanwhile, Joe Graff, president of the Mars Area Education Association, said at Tuesday’s meeting the union is continuing to advocate for fairly compensating the teachers and a contract that “keeps teachers from leaving for neighboring districts.”