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Greater Johnstown School District projects $70.25 million in expenses, aims to eliminate deficit
Summary
Business manager Les Paul Butchko presented a preliminary 2025–26 budget showing $68,613,290 in projected revenues, $70,246,892 in expenses and a plan to reduce a multi‑year deficit while keeping the tax rate unchanged.
Business Manager Les Paul Butchko presented the Greater Johnstown School District's preliminary 2025'26 budget to the board, reporting projected revenues of $68,613,290 and estimated expenses of $70,246,892 for the coming year. "Our revenues going into the next year, we're looking at $68,613,290," Butchko said, and he called attention to a continuing deficit while laying out a target to eliminate it.
Butchko said the district's projected fund balance is $10,858,006 and that his goal for the next fiscal year is to reach "a $0 deficit." He told the board he was not proposing a tax increase and was using a 48.62 mills figure for budget calculations. "I'm not projecting a tax increase," he said.
The budget presentation placed about 73% of revenue as state funding (roughly $50 million), with local revenue around $4 million and federal funds about $6 million, according to Butchko. He identified several major cost drivers: increased medical costs (health care), pension costs, property and liability insurance, and transportation. He also noted ongoing capital and maintenance needs, including a middle-school sewer project and roof work at the high school auditorium.
Butchko described conservative planning on one-time state aid: the district is projected to receive $3.4 million in a state grant ("ready to learn"), and there is a possibility of an additional $3 million, but he said he would not budget that amount until funds are received.
Board members asked administrators to provide more detail offline; Butchko offered to meet individually with directors for further questions. No final appropriation or formal vote on the budget was taken during the presentation.
The presentation preceded a series of administrative and personnel motions later in the meeting; board members and administrators indicated they will continue work on the final budget and options for balancing next fiscal year's revenues and expenditures.
