[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6262229,"mediaKeyId","3115749-adedb463a0e136cda201b5a17ef417a6","parentId",3115749,"title","Centennial staff outline budget shortfall in five-year forecast; district offers a PA 1000 rent/property-tax rebate option","audioSeconds",1122,"startMs",2180000,"endMs",3302000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115749-adedb463a0e136cda201b5a17ef417a6&start=2180&end=3302","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115749-adedb463a0e136cda201b5a17ef417a6/thumbnail_2180000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6262229/Pennsylvania/Centennial-staff-outline-budget-shortfall-in-five-year-forecast-district-offers-a-PA-1000-rentproperty-tax-rebate-option","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262229-30f2d10b09153bd853f82e0597ea7e5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775559698&Signature=g-T8K5V85nSNa6ropyK9LIBDQ69JPglLWuJ2BKg5YcVrLNiDK6FV-BTRBnQ3-1eysJMSbQxUCpE-EldQLtzvF7x2ikP2KGE4drgLUmiQd82zTtcVHJzHlm99YW4cPzyEbfi5V9dHdujKJgmaPlCZQrv03P7tu4BPMqDYtVJoF4a81BXyDxK54EQVKGT0T3e-jJnkZKUAJe1pqZWGfRwKSskzALAwZCSrztPaaDNmHQeawCMFYn5H2XwbObem8XxtNXzFd0Q47p7ke2Olfq9bEN8F04GO1Uvs4DxInxuleKpovshwbn4DuJ4WbFGW3PbpS4lRi5MEdoD9ICTy4euaAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-25T00:44:55.04Z","article","Mr. Greenwood, a district staff presenter, reviewed the Centennial School District’s budget outlook April 22 and said the district expects multi-year operating deficits unless revenue or expense patterns change.

Greenwood told the Committee of the Whole that the board is working with administration to reduce controllable costs and that locally driven revenue (largely real-estate tax receipts) makes up the overwhelming majority of the district’s revenue. He said the board’s budget-development calendar targets a June 10 meeting to adopt the budget and warned that failure to adopt a budget by PDE deadlines “risks possible withholding of state funding.”

Why it matters: Greenwood showed a five-year forecast that projects deficits each year as expense growth outpaces revenue growth. He said four categories (special education, pension/PERS, charter tuition and debt service) account for roughly 44% of the general fund and are largely beyond short-term local control.

Key points from the presentation

• Rent/property-tax rebate (PA 1000): Greenwood gave a public-service reminder that residents who filed the Pennsylvania PA-1000 for calendar year 2023 (filed in 2024) may qualify for an additional Centennial School District rebate. He said, “The deadline to file is June 30.” The district is offering an additional Centennial rebate equal to 15% of the state rebate; eligibility depends on qualifying for the state program and on the district having a surplus to fund the local supplement.

• Forecast drivers and midyear credits: Greenwood said the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) midyear estimate shows an anticipated roughly $2.7 million credit to the district because of changes in out-of-district placements and other adjustments; he said the district plans to apply that credit to current-year obligations and avoid rolling deficits into next year’s contract.

• Mandated costs: Greenwood emphasized that special education costs have risen sharply and that employer pension (PERS) rates could add between $400,000 and $800,000 annually in coming years, making long-range planning essential.

• Controllable costs and requested analysis: Greenwood said the administration had asked each school and department to identify reductions (he set an initial threshold of 5% reductions as a planning target) and to describe pain points those cuts would cause. Board members asked for more detailed line-item lists; Greenwood said those reports and bills lists are part of the weekly update and can be presented in more accessible formats.

Related budget motions and items discussed at the meeting

During the meeting the board approved multiple consent and purchasing items (personnel agenda, software contracts, device policies and more). Greenwood said the district is examining refinancing options to reduce debt service and is tracking volatile factors such as potential tariffs on technology imports.

Ending and next steps

Greenwood said he will provide the board with more granular reporting—bills lists, staffing breakdowns by building and the PA 1000 rebate tiers—via the weekly update and future meetings. The board’s adopted calendar currently targets June 10 for formal budget adoption; Greenwood said he was “keeping my fingers crossed” but stressed the importance of meeting PDE timelines.

Selected quote

“The deadline to file is June 30,” Greenwood said regarding the PA 1000 filing that triggers district rebate eligibility.

Unresolved/clarifying details

The presentation projected a significant multi-year structural shortfall but did not change any policy at the meeting. Greenwood committed to follow up with specific numbers (detailed bills lists, exact rebate tiers and a schedule of departmental reductions) in future board materials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CSD School Board - Committee of the Whole - April 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mr. Greenwood, a district staff presenter, reviewed the Centennial School District’s budget outlook April 22 and said the district expects multi-year operating deficits unless revenue or expense patterns change.","taxTitle","Centennial SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",38634,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6262234,"Parent tells Centennial board her fourth-grader is being bullied on bus 87; district staff to follow up",375,864000,1239000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115749-adedb463a0e136cda201b5a17ef417a6&start=864&end=1239","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115749-adedb463a0e136cda201b5a17ef417a6/thumbnail_864000.jpg","/articles/6262234/Pennsylvania/Parent-tells-Centennial-board-her-fourth-grader-is-being-bullied-on-bus-87-district-staff-to-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262234-a252d6915fb843b0b00e14c146c4f799/orig.mp4?Expires=1775559697&Signature=l4MW~EKiTV2AZMjyVHXzfU78S4mhUJasLV-LwlsKoa-652OzWgfuTyzCHsyv-I7yR7wC7ae3-5940L8da2xy32vYTxdIikrT1vDq-kya6Si5t09l5IrJNKGFoG8MB1Terfmy6eDyFgpm9Nrxjr4vPj9VqqIDb2RUxbVO6hQiJnsmwYOdDvHtyfZtF9-5gYnnYgMJ0v~2PaajJh~6v0zCJnntv6P1adXbWBpBZsa31M-~A0xuNOlYS6An6zDlP9O2ULEo-zB2W~Nd3UeRaHfB-1NV-ytVc7Vfd12KZRe0tBVk1vrWNMVY7ZiAzXLQNNCCTJcjNRAUhAcMZykMirsakw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Samantha Price, a parent, told the Centennial School District Committee of the Whole on April 22 that her fourth-grade son has been bullied repeatedly on bus 87 and that she was dissatisfied with the district’s response.

Price said the district’s timeline began when she reported the incident on April 16 and received a return call from a school staff member later that day. She told the board that during a speaker-phone conversation the staff member had her son in the office and asked him questions he would not answer. “My son didn't want to tell her the truth about the situation,” Price said, and the staff member told her “there was nothing that she could do by what Mason said.” Price said her son has an IEP and is being tested for autism, and that being called “gay” has been happening “for 2 years now.”

Why it matters: Price said the boy’s teacher and other witnesses have flagged the behavior, but the parent said seating requests on the bus were denied and that the child continues to be targeted. She warned that, if district leaders did not act, she would escalate the complaint to local media.

The district response and next steps

Board President (identified in roll call) acknowledged the comment and asked staff to follow up. Doctor Wilson, identified in the meeting as district staff, said he would follow up with schools and principals. The exchange during the public-comment period ended with Wilson saying he would pursue further contact with the family.

What speakers said (selected quotes)

“Your administration and staff, even down to the bus driver, is failing my son,” Samantha Price said during public comment, adding, “This situation needs to stop immediately.”

Doctor Wilson responded in the meeting that he would follow up with schools and principals.

Context and unresolved details

Price said the student is a fourth-grader who rides bus 87, has an IEP and is being tested for autism, and that the family had previously reported similar bullying about two years earlier. She named a classroom teacher (Mrs. Richie) and said earlier attempts to raise the issue in the school were not resolved. The transcript shows the family asked for a seat change on bus 87; the parent said that request had been denied. The record does not show any formal disciplinary action taken at the meeting or any written summary of the district’s follow-up; Doctor Wilson said he would follow up with the family.

Ending

The parent left contact information with the district during public comment. The board did not take formal action on the complaint at the meeting; a district staff member said they would follow up with the family and school staff after the meeting.","At the April 22 Committee of the Whole meeting, a parent described ongoing bullying of her fourth-grade son on bus 87, said she was dissatisfied with a school staff response, and asked the district to act; a district staff member said they would follow up.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6262225,"Board approves K–5 summer take-home book packs after debate; vote splits 5–4",1064,3258000,4322000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115749-adedb463a0e136cda201b5a17ef417a6&start=3258&end=4322","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115749-adedb463a0e136cda201b5a17ef417a6/thumbnail_3258000.jpg","/articles/6262225/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-K5-summer-take-home-book-packs-after-debate-vote-splits-54","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262225-a74bfbbffcdaa1bf47c0e2d013eb7a7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775559698&Signature=lX1~lZdOrBWdmLtEKGImPLyMPe9bunsRcG7vATCaOpzAdaPmWMEPgpLCEQJ4TQaITReIsWUzL77bBMBqbAaxFFXS3djcHhGvxaIXMIgZDPyc8I1ohVshJkzhp22mUT1bRYFeC4zwZMZdl7Kc9Q7QGeThYFRtiHOoFSYsv4HDNJlaZJalhMyWgREhiW~Y8SH4tXaxGYP18NANnwdRqF0LkLk8a9OQJUfwoJPPvj5~BGUgXKuxGIO5KCKNOECLKH8P2FxEDIcdF72LUeeeb-UMv6dtT9e3jOuKyfqxpO3eoCWbluDR7821v-sVWABEch6SJMi0vSVCQMuI1JOImbD9~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Centennial School District Board of School Directors voted 5–4 on April 22 to approve the purchase of K–5 summer take-home book packs at a district cost not to exceed $49,986.21.

Background and presentation

Mr. Rutz (district staff) presented the program as the district’s fourth year of providing summer take-home book packs for kindergarten through fifth grade to prevent summer learning loss and build home libraries. Staff said fewer than 1% of eligible students opted out in 2024; a follow-up ThoughtExchange survey after distribution received 52 participants and showed 83% of respondents were “very or somewhat satisfied.” Rutz said the vendor Lerner reduced its quote, bringing the total to $49,986.21 and lowering the per-pupil cost to $20–$22.

Debate and concerns

Board members and the public offered competing views about program reach and cost-effectiveness. Opponents questioned survey response rates and whether the program should be funded out of the general fund after ESSER grant support ended. Missus Lynch said the purchase “is a budget item without any grant funding” and announced she would vote no. Other board members noted library access and grant-seeking as possible alternatives; proponents said the program benefits students who lack easy access to summer reading opportunities.

Vote and related actions

The motion to approve the K–5 summer take-home book packs passed 5–4. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Crossen. The transcript records a “no” vote from Missus Lynch and lists four named no votes as “Mary Alice, mister Alex, and june and mister Mark” (these names were provided in the meeting transcript as the board identified dissenting votes); the meeting record does not list an explicit full roll-call in the transcript for every voter for this item. The board also approved other education purchases and library-text purchases earlier in the agenda, including library books for high school and elementary schools and world-language instructional materials; these items were approved by the board in consent or separate votes.

What was in the order

Staff said approximately 2,300 K–5 students are eligible for packs (each pack includes five books) and that the district’s purchase would cost about $20–$22 per pupil. Lerner supplied the books and staff said the company reduced the quote from the amount shown at the April 9 education committee.

Ending

District staff said the program is included in this year’s board-approved budget for teaching and learning, and that administrators will continue to seek grants for future funding. Board members who opposed the item said they would prefer alternative uses of the funds or more robust evaluation data before continuing the program with district dollars.

Selected quote

“My vote will be no,” Missus Lynch said during the pulled-item discussion, adding that she objects because the program is funded from the district budget rather than by a grant.

Votes at a glance (selected items from the April 22 meeting)

• K–5 summer take-home book packs (7.2a): Approved, district cost not to exceed $49,986.21; vote 5–4 (seconded by Mrs. Crossen).
• Library books, William Tennant High School (7.2f): Approved, district cost not to exceed $4,636.33.
• Projector and speaker replacement (9.2c): Approved, district cost not to exceed $265,700.86.
• Postage machine lease (8.2b): Approved, $1,980 per year (five-year lease, beginning 2025-08).

(See board minutes for detailed roll-call votes and exact purchaser/vendor contract language.)","After a presentation from district staff and a 30-minute discussion that included survey results and alternatives such as expanded library access, the Centennial School District board approved the purchase of K–5 summer take-home book packs for up to $49,986.21. The vote was 5–4; one board member said she opposed the purchase because it is funded","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Centennial staff outline budget shortfall in five-year forecast; district offers a PA 1000 rent/property-tax rebate option

Parent tells Centennial board her fourth-grader is being bullied on bus 87; district staff to follow up

Board approves K–5 summer take-home book packs after debate; vote splits 5–4