Board adopts proposed 2025–26 final budget for public review; approves personnel, curriculum and facilities items

The Mount Lebanon Board of School Directors on April 21 approved the district's proposed final 2025'26 budget, submitted the document for the required 30-day public review period and approved routine human-resources, curriculum and facilities items by roll-call votes.

The board voted to make the proposed final budget available for public review and comment; the board will consider final adoption at its May 21 meeting. Board members emphasized that the proposed budget is balanced, does not rely on district fund balance and does not include staff furloughs.

The board also approved the human-resources agenda, the curriculum-and-instruction package (including adoption of Amplify science materials), and the facilities agenda (leases, rental fee schedules and related agreements). Two limited abstentions were recorded on specific subitems during roll calls: one abstention by Board member Mrs. Burdick on a finance subitem (item C) and one abstention by Board member Mrs. Gencel on the Mount Lebanon Aqua Club agreement (facilities item g). All other items and the overall resolutions passed.

Board President Miss Fleischer called for roll call on each resolution. Mrs. Gelman read the finance resolution aloud as a motion, saying, "I move that it be resolved that the board approves the finance agenda items." That motion was seconded (second not named in the transcript) and adopted by roll call with seven ayes and one abstention on a subitem. During discussion Superintendent Dr. Friess and board members noted the district used conservative state-revenue projections and that, compared with earlier projections, administrative adjustments reduced the prior shortfall from about $1.2 million to roughly $200,000.

Votes at a glance - Finance (proposed final 2025'26 budget and related finance agenda items): motion: "I move that it be resolved that the board approves the finance agenda items." Mover: Mrs. Gelman. Second: not specified. Vote record: Mrs. Burdick ' abstain on finance item C (abstain); Mrs. Crabill ' yes; Miss Fleischer ' yes; Mrs. Gelman ' yes; Mrs. Gencel ' yes; Miss Guth ' yes; Miss Johnson ' yes; Mr. Weiland ' yes. Tally: yes 7, abstain 1. Outcome: approved (subitem C abstained by one member). Notes: Proposed final budget posted for 30-day public review; final vote scheduled for May 21. - Human resources (personnel agenda items): motion: "I move that it be resolved that the board approves the human resources agenda items." Mover: Mr. Wylen (read as mover). Second: not specified. Vote record: Mrs. Burdick ' yes; Mrs. Crabill ' yes; Miss Fleischer ' yes; Mrs. Gelman ' yes; Mrs. Gencel ' yes; Miss Guth ' yes; Miss Johnson ' yes; Mr. Weiland ' yes. Tally: yes 8. Outcome: approved. - Curriculum and instruction (includes Amplify Science materials and stipulated adjudications): motion: "I move that it be resolved that the board approves the curriculum and instruction agenda items." Mover: Mrs. Crabill (read the resolution). Second: not specified. Vote record: Mrs. Burdick ' yes; Mrs. Crabill ' yes; Miss Fleischer ' yes; Mrs. Gelman ' yes; Mrs. Gencel ' yes; Miss Guth ' yes; Miss Johnson ' yes; Mr. Weiland ' yes. Tally: yes 8. Outcome: approved. - Facilities (leases, rental fee schedules, stadium occupancy license, and Mount Lebanon Aqua Club agreement): motion: "And will it be resolved if the board approves the facilities agenda items?" Mover: Mrs. Goose (read the resolution). Second: not specified. Vote record: Mrs. Burdick ' yes; Mrs. Crabill ' yes; Miss Fleischer ' yes; Mrs. Gelman ' yes; Mrs. Gencel ' voted for all parts except abstained on part g (Mount Lebanon Aqua Club agreement); Miss Guth ' yes; Miss Johnson ' yes; Mr. Weiland ' yes. Tally: yes 7, abstain 1 (on part g). Outcome: approved (with one abstention on item g). Notes: The board said staff will revisit facility-use rules and ensure a disclaimer about endorsement appears on event advertising during a planned policy review in May.

Why it matters: The proposed final budget opens the statutorily required 30-day public review window and sets the financial framework the board will act on May 21. Several routine operational items (personnel, instructional materials and facilities agreements) were approved, allowing the district to move forward with curriculum adoption, contract schedules and summer/extended-day fee arrangements.

What's next: The proposed final budget is posted for 30 days and the board will consider final adoption at its May 21 regular meeting. Facilities policy updates and clarifications about advertising/endorsement language will be addressed in May as part of the facility-use rules review.