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Saint Marys Area School District finalizes budget showing $791,000 draw from reserves after software error raises revenue estimate
Summary
District staff presented a final 2025 budget with $37.68 million in revenue and $38.47 million in expenditures, citing a $35,001 revenue increase caused by a payroll/data calculation error and a need to use about $791,000 from reserve funds to balance the spending plan.
Saint Marys Area School District officials presented a revised budget that shows $37,681,973 in projected revenue and $38,473,480 in planned expenditures, and said the district will need about $791,000 from reserve funds to balance the plan.
The presentation, given during the board meeting, said the final revenue figure is $35,001 higher than the previously proposed revenue total of $37,646,972 because of a computer calculation error related to homestead/farmstead reporting. The presenter said staff reported the discrepancy to the state education agency for correction.
The budget includes a proposed real estate tax increase described in the presentation as “1.75” and used examples showing a $52.05 gross increase for a median assessed home; the presenter said an increase in state homestead and farmstead reimbursements will offset part of that amount. The presenter quantified the offset as about $17.22 per homestead, producing an estimated net tax increase of approximately $34.83 for a median assessed home.
Expenditure changes raised the final spending figure by about $163,000 from the draft. The presenter said roughly 74% of that increase funds an assistant principal position for the middle school, about 20% addresses special education and mental-health services, and about 6% covers increased software needs.
Board members and administrators did not record any formal vote on the budget during the portion of the transcript provided. The presenter noted several one-time expenditures previously discussed, including vehicle expenses, and offered to provide further detail if the board requested it.
The presenter also acknowledged the calculation error directly: “That was not done intentionally,” and said staff had contacted the state education department to request a correction. The board briefly reviewed the agenda and other business items after the presentation.
In related remarks, a district administrator noted follow-up work on a separate public-comment item about class rank and encouraged staff and the board to recognize teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.
The board will consider the budget in its posted approval process; no formal adoption or vote is recorded in the available transcript excerpt.
