The Board of School Directors met on January 21, 2025 to hear the 2025-2026 proposed preliminary budget presentation. That presentation can be found here. The proposed preliminary budget is provided each January as the Board’s first look at the status of the budget. The budget is generally presented within or slightly over the Act 1 Index as a first look. As a result of rising special education costs, the district presented a proposed preliminary budget that exceeded the Act 1 Index of 4%. Dr. Zerbe explained that “as part of the regular budget process, we began meeting with Principals and Directors to establish a baseline of requests. In doing so, we received the 2025-2026 Special Education budget requests that were significantly more than 23/24 actual. Given a review of these requests and the fact that we have overspent in Special Education the past few years, it is clear that greater review of these budget requests, program operations, and other associated matters are required to determine the special education budget and ultimately the district budget for the Board’s consideration.”
On January 28, 2025, the Board of School Directors, in a 6 to 2 vote, authorized the administration to make available for public inspection the proposed preliminary budget that includes a 5.1% preliminary tax increase. The Board will then place the preliminary budget for vote on the agenda at a special meeting to be held on February 18, 2025. As such, Dr. Zerbe explained that this action is part of the Act 1 process when the preliminary budget comes in higher than the Act 1 Index. It provides the Board with the greatest flexibility to balance the educational and operational needs of the district with that of our taxpayers.
Dr. Zerbe explained that there is much work ahead to bring this budget to an acceptable state. The work includes reviewing the 2025-2026 district projected revenue and expenditure assumptions, reviewing special education operations to ensure we are providing appropriate program and services, reviewing all 3rd party services contracts and creating framework for greater oversight. Going forward we will have a standing discussion item for Finance Committee along with Monthly updates to the full board on progress towards a final budget in May.
