Carlisle Area School District says state budget impasse delays about $8.3 million; board approves $8.46 million in September expenditures
October 17, 2025 | Carlisle Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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Carlisle Area School District officials on Thursday told the board that the ongoing Pennsylvania state budget impasse has delayed roughly $8.3 million in expected state payments, prompting the district to use reserves and adjust short-term cash strategy while continuing normal operations.
Mike Statler, director of business operations, summarized the district’s treasury and investment reports and said the district has received about $1 million of the roughly $6.1 million it would normally have received by this point in the fiscal year, leaving about $5 million outstanding for the current year. He also said the state still owes the district about $3.6 million from the prior fiscal year, for a total of about $8.3 million that the district has not received. Statler told the board that the shortfall has reduced interest income and cost the district an estimated $80,000 to $90,000 in foregone interest.
Statler said the district has not locked funds into long-term investments because cash-flow uncertainty and relatively favorable liquid rates make short-term holdings preferable for now. He said district staff plan to repay reserve accounts when state payments are received. The board discussed cash-management details and a set of recommended conservation measures from the Capital Area Intermediate Unit that the district could adopt if the impasse continues.
As part of routine business, the board approved expenditures incurred in September 2025 across the general fund, student activity fund, capital reserve fund, capital projects fund, food service fund and debit purchases totaling $8,460,915.19. The board also approved routine contract renewals and professional-services agreements listed in the agenda manager; the administration answered questions about a new contract with True North Wellness Services to provide Student Assistance Program (SAP) services after county commissioners stopped funding Teen Line.
Administrators said the True North contract is presently for secondary-level SAP services; the district expects to evaluate expansion to elementary schools if county-provided services diminish further. The board approved the contracts by voice vote.
Mike Statler, director of business operations, summarized the district’s treasury and investment reports and said the district has received about $1 million of the roughly $6.1 million it would normally have received by this point in the fiscal year, leaving about $5 million outstanding for the current year. He also said the state still owes the district about $3.6 million from the prior fiscal year, for a total of about $8.3 million that the district has not received. Statler told the board that the shortfall has reduced interest income and cost the district an estimated $80,000 to $90,000 in foregone interest.
Statler said the district has not locked funds into long-term investments because cash-flow uncertainty and relatively favorable liquid rates make short-term holdings preferable for now. He said district staff plan to repay reserve accounts when state payments are received. The board discussed cash-management details and a set of recommended conservation measures from the Capital Area Intermediate Unit that the district could adopt if the impasse continues.
As part of routine business, the board approved expenditures incurred in September 2025 across the general fund, student activity fund, capital reserve fund, capital projects fund, food service fund and debit purchases totaling $8,460,915.19. The board also approved routine contract renewals and professional-services agreements listed in the agenda manager; the administration answered questions about a new contract with True North Wellness Services to provide Student Assistance Program (SAP) services after county commissioners stopped funding Teen Line.
Administrators said the True North contract is presently for secondary-level SAP services; the district expects to evaluate expansion to elementary schools if county-provided services diminish further. The board approved the contracts by voice vote.
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