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Wyoming Valley West superintendent warns budget delay is costing district, praises cell‑phone policy and student achievements
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Soupa told the school board the state budget delay has cost the district millions, urged cyber charter reform, and highlighted student events, a new suicide‑awareness bench and a classroom cell‑phone policy that staff say has improved focus.
Dr. Soupa, superintendent of the Wyoming Valley West School District, told the board at its Oct. 8 work session that ongoing delay in the state budget has reduced the district’s early‑fiscal‑year funding by more than $10 million and asked the community to urge legislators to pass a timely budget.
"Every day without the finalized budget has a real and lasting impact on our students, staff, and community," Dr. Soupa said, noting that from July 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2024, the district received roughly $12,000,000 in state and federal funding, while from July 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2025, it had received about $1,300,000 — a difference Dr. Soupa called "over $10,500,000.0 less than the prior year."
The superintendent also urged state lawmakers to prioritize reform of cyber‑charter school funding, saying local tax dollars are increasingly diverted to cyber schools and that "meaningful reform is long overdue." He said that money currently flowing to cyber charters could otherwise support classroom programs at Wyoming Valley West.
In other district updates, Dr. Soupa and staff highlighted several student and school events: a commended student recognition in the 2026 National Merit program for high‑school senior Elijah Sirota; kindergarten Fall Fest at State Street Elementary; an LIU‑funded assembly and grant support for a high‑school program; upcoming PSAT administration on Oct. 28 (cost $18, limited fee waivers for qualifying juniors); and Homecoming week events, including a parade and pep rallies. Dr. Soupa thanked LIU 18 and Kara Devine for supporting the assembly initiative.
Dr. Soupa also credited the district’s recent classroom cell‑phone holders program with improved student focus and participation. "Teachers have reported noticeable increases in student focus and participation," he said, adding that early feedback shows improvements in classroom performance and assessment scores. A public commenter, Amy Caro, later echoed that observation in the public comment period, saying the middle‑school Junior Achievement day ran much more smoothly after the cell‑phone policy took effect.
The superintendent closed by recognizing a student‑led installation at the high school: "Josh's suicide awareness bench," which he described as a "powerful symbol of hope, support, and unity." He called for continued community support and repeated the district slogan: "Together, we are Wyoming Valley West."
Dr. Soupa announced next month’s presentation from Daktronics and encouraged continued community engagement as the district navigates budget uncertainty.
