Colonial SD finance committee reviews policy 616, budget timeline and federal/state funding risks

Finance staff member Mark opened the finance committee meeting and presented three items: (1) a revision to Policy 616 (payment of bills), (2) the district’s budget timeline and a pending Act 1 index decision, and (3) a 2025–26 budget comparison that highlights risks from the Pennsylvania state budget impasse and a federal funding slowdown.

On Policy 616, Mark said the draft policy updates Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) language to replace the role of board secretary with board treasurer for certain payment authorities. The change would allow the treasurer to advance payments to capture vendor discounts or to make approved contractor payments for projects such as roofing. Mark described existing internal controls: invoices must still flow through the appropriate department approvals and an assistant business manager and other staff must enter or approve invoices before the treasurer cuts a check. “I personally cannot enter an…