South Fayette board previews $77.8M draft budget, approves personnel and select measures after executive session

South Fayette Township School District officials reviewed a draft 2025–26 general fund budget showing roughly $77.75 million in revenues and $83.55 million in expenses — a projected $5.8 million shortfall — and approved multiple personnel and routine items during their April 22 board meeting at the high school.

The budget presentation was led by Ryan Neely, director of finance, who outlined revenue and expense assumptions and the district’s next steps. Neely said the board will vote on a proposed final budget at a special meeting on May 13 and on a final budget June 17. He added, “this puts us at a fund balance of $25,470,000 at the end of next school year.”

Why it matters: the draft anticipates growing personnel costs and benefits that outpace estimated revenue growth. Neely told the board he built the draft assuming the district raises millage up to the Act 1 index, a placeholder that preserves options ahead of the May and June votes. The presentation also previewed a May bond sale process and updated drawdown schedules tied to ongoing capital projects.

Major budget details and context

- Revenues and gap: The draft general fund numbers Neely presented show $77.75 million in revenue versus $83.55 million in expenses for 2025–26, yielding a $5.8 million deficit in the draft. Neely said…