[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6535596,"mediaKeyId","3393083-e28c45cd8a70286e76239cc52fc2552f","parentId",3393083,"title","Gettysburg Area SD board hears 1.5% proposed tax increase; members debate trimming 0.5% to protect fund balance and capital plan","audioSeconds",2973,"startMs",1388000,"endMs",4361000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3393083-e28c45cd8a70286e76239cc52fc2552f&start=1388&end=4361","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3393083-e28c45cd8a70286e76239cc52fc2552f/thumbnail_1388000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6535596/Pennsylvania/Gettysburg-Area-SD-board-hears-15-proposed-tax-increase-members-debate-trimming-05-to-protect-fund-balance-and-capital-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535596-460e2a7066a9a01ceabb2c10b1369d40/orig.mp4?Expires=1775486579&Signature=D34Ljgq4Q4Av93XJC0DSjtWqeqhXe-vLybDUDORFb7RMQymgA-Ow5BB54prG0UbfHPx1ijJ0DnQYCL4HKlxfOU1K8DpqL8OqOCGTSZXM11R56Y-L5s8xmqxiwss8Zz0feWppZieobMp4KPv5khHp1MdINi8IPwMKtPDSOaXYA7yH9pnbJ4UtNbxWLcmGLO7u~xCmo3Eb74U7IkbFV-Z6yZO6uu8bH5ZKozPIr3~C06XNLAt2ONLrcoYytUBdNhwTEMEomE8dN7zZPrNOhahZ2bsz4f0apza-3w1McNYERFUvSbURHy8Gwf-tOxmmTtH~8Y3-bl95Co~YFCbhNo-iiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gettysburg Area School Board","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","Gettysburg — At a public budget hearing May 20, Gettysburg Area School District business staff recommended a proposed 1.5% tax increase for the 2025–26 fiscal year, prompting board discussion about whether to remove a 0.5% portion and use one-time audit adjustments or fund balance instead.

Belinda, the district business office presenter, told the board that the administration's recommendation is “a 1 and a half percent increase.” She said the total proposed revenue shown in the presentation ties to a roughly $77 million revenue estimate and about $79 million in proposed expenditures, with salaries and benefits representing the largest expenditure slice (about $47 million).

The recommendation included dedicated funding for ACTI (the county career and technical program). Board members pressed options for reducing the taxpayer increase by 0.5 percentage points while maintaining near-term capital funding and the board's chosen fund-balance guideline.

Why it matters: The district projects declines in federal one-time pandemic-era funding (ESSER) and is using fund balance as a backstop in the short term. Business staff presented a five-year projection showing that without additional revenue the district could face cumulative deficits, and that the fund balance target under district policy is 6% to 8% of expenditures. The board must adopt a final budget June 16 after a review and a recommendation on June 2.

Key budget details and context

- Composition of revenue: The presenter said local sources make up about 68% of revenue, state about 30.7% and federal the remainder; the proposed total revenue is roughly $77 million.
- Major expenditures: The budget slides shown to the board list salaries and benefits at about $47 million, purchase of services at roughly $18 million, supplies and property at about $3.7 million and debt service at about $9.3 million, for total expenditures near $79 million.
- Fund balance: The presentation showed a fund-balance figure of about $4.7 million, which the presenter said equates to the district's 6% policy minimum based on a $76 million expenditures baseline.
- Federal dollars: The presenter noted past ESSER and COVID-related federal funding inflated federal revenue in some years; federal funds are expected to be lower and more variable going forward.
- Tax impact: For an average homestead assessed value cited in the presentation ($273,891), a 1.5% tax increase was shown as raising approximately $46.70 annually; homestead/farmstead calculations reduce that net effect for qualifying properties.

Board debate and follow-ups requested

Board members who spoke asked for more historic audit information and scenario analysis before committing to the 0.5% change. Jeremy (board member) urged caution about a $25,000 annual district contribution to GAF (a local arts organization), saying that after grants the net return to the district appeared small and that the board should consider directing staff to evaluate whether to stop that contribution. The business presenter replied that the GAF contribution was established by prior board action and would require explicit board direction to remove.

Several board members proposed an approach in which the administration present two versions of the budget at the next meeting: the full 1.5% proposal and a version that preserves the 1% earmarked for ACTI while eliminating the 0.5% capital portion. The board asked staff to provide:
- Historical audit \"windfall\" figures (actual post-audit increases to fund balance over recent years) so members can judge the risk of using expected audit receipts instead of raising taxes; the presenter cautioned that ESSER-era receipts distort the recent history.
- A recalculation showing the net dollar effect of removing 0.5% (the presenter said that equates to about $188,000 in revenue) and the resulting changes to the capital appropriation and fund-balance target.
- Clarification of what would have to change if the district chose to use fund balance (or to delay capital appropriations) and the projected five-year impact if no additional recurring revenue is found.

ACTI funding and staffing tied to the budget conversation

The board's conversation linked closely to ACTI (the county career and technical center). The proposed budget includes a 1% allocation for ACTI; members said they wished to hold that portion while exploring whether the 0.5% for capital could be deferred or replenished from later audit results.

Separately during the regular meeting, ACTI Director Sean Eckenrode explained the joint operating committee's request to create an \"assistant to the administrative director\" position. The committee approved advertising a salary range of $80,000–$90,000 for that role; when benefits were factored in the total salary-and-benefits package estimated by ACTI staff reached about $150,000. Eckenrode said ACTI serves roughly 272 students and that the program receives about 292 applications for roughly 147 seats, leaving approximately 40–50 applicants unserved each year. Board members noted the connection between sustaining or expanding career and technical education and the district's broader budget decisions.

Other budget items raised

- Family navigators: Board members asked for a cost estimate to convert two currently contracted family navigator positions to district employees; staff estimated an additional roughly $50,000 (salary and employer-side benefits) to bring the contractors into district payroll and benefits plans.
- Property tax appeals: The business presenter warned that assessment appeals by large local taxpayers (for example, Gettysburg College) could materially reduce local tax revenue and affect future budgets.
- Enrollment and per‑pupil calculations: Staff said enrollment reported to the state has been stable and that the presentation used PDE (state education department) enrollment figures; staff also cautioned that general fund expenditures divided by district-educated enrollment is a different and broader per-student cost than some state per-pupil metrics.

Next steps

The board asked staff to present two budget scenarios and historical audit-return data at the June 2 meeting so members can decide whether to remove the 0.5% increase and, if so, from where to temporarily reallocate funds. The final budget adoption is scheduled for June 16, when the board must vote on the budget and any tax-rate changes.

Ending note

Board members repeatedly emphasized the need to balance conservative budgeting (to avoid running beneath the 6% fund-balance guideline) with the desire to protect programs, capital needs and ACTI funding. The business office cautioned that delaying recurring revenue choices merely defers difficult decisions and that without new revenue or cuts the five-year projection showed a multi-million‑dollar shortfall.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","GASD School Board Meeting - 5.19.25","oneSentenceSummary","Gettysburg — At a public budget hearing May 20, Gettysburg Area School District business staff recommended a proposed 1.5% tax increase for the 2025–26 fiscal year, prompting board discussion about whether to remove a 0.5% portion and use one-time audit adjustments or fund balance instead.","taxTitle","Gettysburg Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",76700,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6535586,"Votes at a glance: Gettysburg Area SD board approves routine items, design proposal and safety-film bid; financials approved with one abstention",319,5898000,6217000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3393083-e28c45cd8a70286e76239cc52fc2552f&start=5898&end=6217","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3393083-e28c45cd8a70286e76239cc52fc2552f/thumbnail_5898000.jpg","/articles/6535586/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Gettysburg-Area-SD-board-approves-routine-items-design-proposal-and-safety-film-bid-financials-approved-with-one-abstention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535586-5c5ec917ee6e39d41894f5c73aa0e814/orig.mp4?Expires=1775486579&Signature=OvvdLzIp7PYtrunrDPh2Wxmubf6X4nugPPIHzRq4K3aifUoKHakL3nhsgZa7P0myZrwGcFYGam3CFqQy4sRARrxCLcChQV27BpsMG0831pckPjQztBonBd59fJVPbRKVLfkC~4Y2xO7dn0wyO32EjCHuVMZcHtQbQhz3Zq2fl2XIEYiiRIF3c8YujfBdu4qgs3Lu8EoS9J3Y5lx-ex1bDyIJyaVDQd5TO-ImRHs47wax9FdgXes6QcpJaqN~80soAdgnMVEXAREV4QrbrgYQqR8T29Pe9uItQP-NSnqfGunDw2o3rICL33qH84ZFHmkOJPrE42ERmi~GIONEAZmohg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gettysburg — At its May 20 meeting the Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors took multiple votes on routine approvals, personnel items and facility contracts.

Summary of formal actions and outcomes

- Routine approvals (agenda items 5.1 and 5.3, including human-resources items): Adopted by roll call. Several board members publicly congratulated Dr. McFarland on his promotion; the board noted Dr. McFarland will start as assistant superintendent July 1 and the posting for his former position is live.

- Financials (item 5.2): Approved by roll call. Board member Jeremy recorded an abstention and said the abstention was because his wife is paid by the district for a business she owns; the remaining members voted yes.

- Treasurer (item 6.1): Tim Sigmund was nominated and unanimously confirmed by roll call as school board treasurer.

- Administration-building renovation — Subartan Associate design proposal (item 6.2): The board approved the design proposal. Board members asked about the fee proposal, which was discussed at a stated 6.5% of construction cost; the presenting team said there was no further negotiation in the public discussion and the motion passed on roll call.

- District-wide safety-film bid (informational item 7.1 moved to action): The board moved the informational item to action and then approved the low bid, $33,691.31; staff said the project is funded by a PCCD grant and the work is expected to be completed by June 30.

- ACTI operating budget (item 7.2): Presented as an informational item. The ACTI director discussed an approved new position and salary range; the board did not vote on the ACTI operating budget at this meeting.

Vote tallies and procedure notes

- Routine approvals and human-resources items: roll-call approval (unanimous among recorded voters).
- Financials (5.2): passed by roll call with one abstention (Jeremy — conflict disclosed). All other voting members recorded “yes.”
- Treasurer nomination: unanimous roll-call approval for Tim Sigmund.
- Administration-building renovation and district safety-film bid: both motions passed by roll call with all recorded \"yes\" votes.

Why it matters

The board's actions advance the district's facilities planning and safety work and complete required routine business ahead of the district's summer transitions. The financials approval, despite one abstention, keeps the budget review timeline on schedule toward the June 2 review and June 16 final adoption.

Provenance

This roundup compiles roll-call results and action descriptions recorded during the regular board meeting immediately following the public budget hearing on May 20.
","The board approved routine approvals and human-resources items, named a treasurer, authorized an administration-building design proposal, and approved a district-wide safety-film bid funded by a PCCD grant. The financials motion passed with one abstention; the ACTI operating budget remained an informational item.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6535591,"Food services director seeks community donations to address student meal debt; board hears $18k–$24k delinquency range",644,4993000,5637000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3393083-e28c45cd8a70286e76239cc52fc2552f&start=4993&end=5637","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3393083-e28c45cd8a70286e76239cc52fc2552f/thumbnail_4993000.jpg","/articles/6535591/Pennsylvania/Food-services-director-seeks-community-donations-to-address-student-meal-debt-board-hears-18k24k-delinquency-range","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535591-c07de9f4f95a080ad2c8619946b466c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775486579&Signature=QksExFTRirS5cjfVcTGBWtR3Xn~ZUsCTmpcE15gywkjjLx~doyXDavN424xX5-KOefMP3wEGxLd3qFwkCOCY3SHp7FD3ri7TTMlgRt4F0N6F5-fptnioGHQ8Q3vBP8QfGXO5wCIj4adgqbhQiuE1fsk9~uNiXyztnsNl2VNPitNtN5yjFkaF4hQwJYZUuT4WjPbRtb2LTQE5XYLQOOx6Gm5oR9y75Lt9HA1BwzAhailbT4Gwcu8Oc13kQ4NH9WskVNBxMMTkxy7lExHUgSqJ-ZDFJzujUgLm6TWhC8csletPJ6LTqBeLhR6-pxhry1ScxDzc~jnEZUzXS2abcfDM2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gettysburg — Gettysburg Area School District food services staff told the board May 20 that unpaid student meal balances have accumulated and asked the district to invite community donors and local businesses to contribute to a district-managed donation account.

Food services director Jeff Malone (presenter) told the board the department served more than 340,000 meals in the 2024–25 school year and that unpaid student meal debt has grown in recent years. Malone said approximately 1,100 students qualify for free meals (about 38% of the district's students) and roughly 120 students qualify for reduced-price meals, leaving about 45% of all students classified as economically disadvantaged by free/reduced metrics.

Malone said federal Child Nutrition Program rules established under the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 prohibit denying a school lunch to a student who requests one but lacks payment at the point of sale. He said the food service department accepts donations and maintains a separate donation account so funds are not commingled with federal and state reimbursements or food-service sales.

Numbers and donations

- Malone reported the food-service delinquent balance at about $24,000 before recent donations; the department had received roughly $5,000 from Giant Foods and additional private donations of about $6,000, which he said should reduce the outstanding balance to around $18,000 by the end of the school year.
- The department also received more than $11,000 in donations during the 2024–25 school year that were applied to student meal accounts, Malone said, while cumulative receivables have risen in recent years.
- The most recent audited result for the food-service fund showed net income of about $75,000 for the 2024 audit year, Malone said; the district, however, records unpaid meal balances as a due-to/due-from between the general fund and food service because the food-service fund cannot operate in a deficit.

Board questions and operational notes

Board members asked whether the $18,000 balance represents multiple years; Malone said the balances include amounts carried forward over multiple years and that the district has seen higher delinquencies in prior years (for example, about $35,000 previously).

Members also asked about how the district can motivate families with unpaid balances; Malone said the district sends end-of-year letters to seniors and works with families on payment plans, but federal rules prevent denying meals and there are limited enforcement mechanisms tied to meal accounts. District staff said they do collect other items (library books, textbooks, laptops) prior to graduation where necessary.

Next steps

Malone asked for board support to run a community campaign, using social media, direct outreach and partnering fundraising platforms to solicit voluntary donations for the district account that offsets unpaid meal balances. The board did not take formal action on the request at the May 20 meeting but discussed supporting donations and noted existing programs such as a Giant Foods \"round-up\" program and jeans-day fundraisers that already contributed modest amounts.

Ending note

Board members and staff emphasized the distinction between the food-service fund's accounting treatment and the district's ultimate responsibility: while the food-service fund operates separately, unpaid balances can become a general-fund issue at year end and the district works with families and community partners to mitigate those balances.
","The district food services director reported roughly $24,000 in cumulative student meal debt that recent donations have reduced to about $18,000, and asked the board to invite community and business partners to help cover balances. The director reminded the board federal rules prohibit denying a meal to a student at point of service.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Gettysburg Area SD board hears 1.5% proposed tax increase; members debate trimming 0.5% to protect fund balance and capital plan

Votes at a glance: Gettysburg Area SD board approves routine items, design proposal and safety-film bid; financials approved with one abstention

Food services director seeks community donations to address student meal debt; board hears $18k–$24k delinquency range