Interboro board reviews audit, approves $8.8 million in disbursements and routine budgets

INTERBORO, Pa. — The Interboro School District Board of School Directors accepted a clean audit, advanced routine fiscal motions and discussed ongoing budget pressure at its March 19 public meeting at the district administration building.

The audit committee reported the district's fund balance grew by $6.5 million to a reported $20,400,000 for the period ending June 30, 2024, and that overall spending for the audit year came in about $250,000 under budget because of lower-than-expected special-education costs, reduced charter/private-school enrollments and lower supplies/software spending.

Board finance staff said the district still faces a $2.7 million gap on the 2025-26 budget at a 0% tax increase, but said anticipated state funding increases and internal reductions have narrowed the shortfall. The finance report said the district added about $1.5 million in expected state aid and identified roughly $400,000 in spending reductions largely from lower charter tuition and shifting some special-education costs to grant funds.

Solicitor Michael Rubio cautioned the board about recent tax-assessment changes across the county. "Every time those larger commercial properties end up with a reduction of which they are entitled under the law, it disperses the tax burden to the residential taxpayers," Rubio said during the solicitor's report.

On formal business the board approved a set of routine motions, including:

- Approval of the minutes from the Feb. 19, 2025 regular meeting (motion 5.01). - Treasurer's report for month ending Jan. 28, 2025 (motion 7.01). - Fund disbursements totaling $8,844,755.66 (motion 7.02). - Personnel, curriculum, special-education, technology and facilities items listed in agenda sections 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 (motions 10.01''' through 14.02). - Travel and professional-service agreements listed in motions 16 through 20, including an independent-contractor agreement with Dr. Gail Panzer not to exceed $5,000 (motion 20). - Regional and intermediate-unit items, including acceptance of the Delaware County Vocational Technical School budget and the Delaware County Intermediate Unit special-education funding agreement for 2025-26.

Most votes on the routine items were approved unanimously; recorded voice or roll-call tallies on multiple motions showed an 8-0 result.

The board's capital-improvements report noted progress on high-school renovations: shade installation, elevator testing, interior signage, equipment loading and completion of required life-safety and fire inspections. A cutover to the new high-school cafeteria was scheduled for the weekend following the meeting, with meal service expected Monday morning.

Board members and administrators said they will continue to monitor tax appeals, bond and construction funds, and retirements for potential savings through attrition as they finalize the 2025-26 budget before the June adoption deadline.

Votes at a glance

- Minutes (2/19/2025) — approved, voice vote/8-0. - Treasurer's report (ending 01/28/2025) — approved, roll call/8-0. - Fund disbursements $8,844,755.66 — approved, voice vote/8-0. - Independent contractor: Dr. Gail Panzer, not to exceed $5,000 — approved, voice vote/8-0. - Delaware County Vocational Technical School general operating budget $18,076,609; Interboro share $1,005,135 — approved, roll call/8-0. - Delaware County Intermediate Unit special-education intergovernmental funding and service agreement $27,132,128 (district share reported in meeting; breakdown not specified in the record provided) — approved, roll call/8-0.

Ending

Board members scheduled several committee meetings and a work session in the coming weeks and said they will continue to review the draft 2025-26 budget and the impacts of countywide tax appeals on district revenue.