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 district’s interim finance officer is on leave. “We did share information related to revenue…we are projecting about $56,000,000 in proposed revenue” from local sources and about $132,000,000 total revenue in the current model, Coates said. He said the proposed expense side includes a 3% increase for staff salaries in the scenarios that include raises.

A large portion of the district’s projected expenditures is for tuition and placements outside the district—about $25 million in the draft budget, of which the superintendent said roughly $21 million is projected for charter schools. Benefits total roughly $29 million in the presentation, and the budget includes about $8.7 million for building and debt services.

The district also presented a list of proposed new positions, most of them in special education, that it says respond directly to findings from a recent special‑education audit. Proposed additions include multiple psychologists, occupational therapists, speech‑language pathologists, a clinical services coordinator, a specialized programs coordinator and a manager of special education and compliance. The district also listed one additional social worker and added operational contracted positions such as an HVAC technician and a custodian for the athletic complex.

Budget advisory and board members pressed the administration on large line items. Board President Boykins and others asked whether “other purchased services”—a line the superintendent cited as large—could be reduced. “Is it 18,000,000, is there any way we can reduce in any area of that 18,000,000?” Boykins asked. The superintendent said the administration will review each line item and propose modifications.

Several attendees and staff raised concerns about staffing and services. A long‑time special‑education teacher identified as Miss Brenda said she was short staffed and worried about losing supports; she asked whether health insurance would be reduced. Dr. Coates responded that “there is nothing in our budget that recommends a reduction in health insurance to our staff.” Jennifer Austin, president of WPESPA (support staff union), said support staff feel “forgotten” and urged better pay for education support staff.

DCIU representatives, including Ed Narce, told the board the unit has been working with district staff to finalize the budget while the interim finance officer is on leave, and that the DCIU will help with cash‑flow and identifying potential areas to balance the budget. The superintendent said the district has also implemented a weekly spending review process and will pursue potential Medicaid revenue for services to special‑education students as part of efforts to offset costs.

Next steps the administration outlined include returning to the board with refined options for addressing the shortfall—by reducing positions or costs, pursuing revenue such as a tax increase, or a combination of measures—and presenting more detail on the special‑education staffing plan at upcoming committee meetings. Dr. Coates said the district will provide a more complete budget once state funding figures are finalized.