Wynnewoods board adopts $86.9 million appropriations for 2025–26 fiscal year

The Wynnewoods City School Board on Aug. 25 adopted the district's permanent appropriations for fiscal year 2025'26, approving total appropriations of about $86,937,001.96.

The appropriations measure, presented by Treasurer Michael Seymour, allocates roughly $70,267,300 to the general fund and the remainder across special revenue, debt service and other funds. Seymour told the board the district expects roughly $25.7 million in real estate tax collections and about $31.7 million in state foundation revenue for the year.

The item mattered because board members reviewed how reappraisals and changes in the state funding formula have shifted the district's revenue mix. Seymour said a reappraisal raised the district's total valuation to about $763,171,000 and that "fair share" increases to state support had pushed state foundation funding above local collections in the current year. He also told the board the district budgeted for a 10% increase in health and dental costs and that salaries and benefits account for roughly 70% of district spending.

Seymour presented the major fund amounts: special revenue funds at approximately $5,500,000; debt service at about $3,269,000; building funds remaining at about $2,900,000; and food service at $3,600,000. He reported year-to-date revenues for July at about $12.4 million, year-to-date expenditures about $4.7 million, and unencumbered balances across funds of approximately $23.6 million as of July 31.

During discussion, trustees asked for clarification about a $700,000 figure Seymour described as the amount the district would have gained under a full phase-in of the state's fair-share funding formula prior to modifications introduced in House Bill 96. Board members also asked for more detail on a line described as rental of facilities; Seymour confirmed those receipts come from renting district facilities to outside organizations.

The board voted to adopt the appropriations resolution. Treasurer Seymour and the treasurer's office were thanked by the board for preparing the documents and answering questions.

Less urgent budget details presented at the meeting included an investments report that showed $41 million invested and $144,103 earned in interest for July, with $129,003.15 attributed to the general fund and $14,788 to building funds. The board approved that report separately.

Looking ahead, Seymour projected a beginning cash balance of $19.9 million, total receipts of $64.4 million and estimated budgeted outlays of about $69.9 million, yielding a projected cash balance near $14.4 million before anticipated year-end savings.