William Penn SD projects $6 million–$14 million shortfall in 2025–26; special‑education staffing increases proposed

Dr. B. Coates, superintendent of the William Penn School District, presented four budget scenarios for fiscal year 2025–26 showing a potential shortfall ranging from about $6 million to about $14 million, depending on whether the district adds proposed positions and whether a tax increase is adopted.

The district’s status‑quo scenario with proposed new positions projects approximately $132 million in revenue against roughly $147 million in expenditures, producing an estimated shortfall of about $14 million. A second scenario that excludes the proposed new positions reduces the shortfall to about $9 million. Two additional scenarios model a maximum permitted tax increase (the district described the increase as the maximum allowed) and show shortfalls of roughly $11 million (with the new positions) and $6 million (without new positions).

Dr. B. Coates said the district used a modified zero‑based budgeting approach and that the superintendent’s office worked with the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) while the…