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Western Montgomery CTC budget proposal draws questions from Pottsgrove board; center to buy new van and add programs
Summary
The Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center proposed a 6.55% budget increase for 2025–26. Pottsgrove board members asked for further budget clarification. The center also plans a $60,911 van purchase and received an $85,000 grant for a robotic welder.
A report from the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center Joint Operating Committee (JOC) outlined a proposed 6.55% budget increase for 2025–26 and prompted Pottsgrove School District board members to request further review.
JOC materials show the proposed increase totals $564,213, yielding a proposed center budget of $9,175,601. According to the report, $342,100 of that increase — about 3.9% — would be absorbed by higher state and federal revenues, leaving a $22,088 net increase to the three participating districts under the JOC formula. Using average daily membership (ADM) calculations, the report said Pottsgrove’s share would rise by $31,773 (1.9%). Spring‑Ford would see a projected decrease and Upper Perk a larger increase tied to shifts in five‑year enrollment averages. The two largest single proposed increases in the center’s budget were $100,000 for hiring an assistant principal and $100,000 for market‑value adjustments to administrative salaries.
Pottsgrove JOC members — identified in district materials as Chuck Nippert, Patty Grimm and Jay Strunk — requested a district meeting with the center superintendent to review the numbers and asked the full JOC for a further budget meeting to explain details.
Administrative updates at the JOC reported 93 applicants to date for the 2025–26 Western Center application window (which closes March 15) and noted the center’s December open house was successful. The JOC also voted to purchase a new school van for $60,911 and reported a recent $85,000 grant award the district will use to purchase a robotic welder for the center’s welding program. The center will host the SkillsUSA district competition in early February, and its culinary contest will be held Jan. 22 because of program size.
The Pottsgrove board asked for a follow‑up meeting with all nine JOC members to get more granular budget detail and to align reporting formats to district budgeting standards.
