Berwick Area School District previews $11.5 million budget; district contribution for Berwick rises about $145,000

A preliminary $11.5 million budget for the Berwick Area School District was presented at the board meeting; district contributions are projected to cover about 73% of the plan, or approximately $8.3 million, with the district's share listed at about $2,320,000 — an increase of roughly $145,000 from the prior year, the presenter said.

The budget presenter said 95 students from the district are currently enrolled in the regional program discussed and that the district is using nearly all 96 allotted seats. The presenter added that 85 students from the district applied for freshman slots and that about 22 applicants are currently on a waiting list. “We’re looking at a total budget amount of $11,500,000,” the presenter said.

Why this matters: the preliminary budget factors a maximum 3% tax increase, includes limited discretionary spending and sets a projected year-end general fund balance of about $1.1 million. Acting Superintendent Dr. Schottwald told the board the 3% is the maximum currently factored and that staff have 30 days to continue seeking savings before final adoption.

Key budget drivers and projections - District contributions: The presenter said districts supply about 73% of the budget (roughly $8.3 million). Berwick’s share was shown as 28.6% of that contribution and presented as about $2,320,000, up roughly $145,000 from the prior year, driven in part by higher enrollment and increased costs. - Enrollment and formula: The presenter described a four-year formula that uses enrollment levels; because Berwick’s enrollment grew (presenter cited 95 current students), its percentage share of the contribution rose. - Per-student figures: The presenter showed an illustrative per-student figure of a little over $12,000 per regular student and roughly $25,000 per special education (IEP) student under the presented scenario. - Fund balance and future contributions: The presenter said the district projects a general fund balance of about $1.1 million at the end of next year and noted that a higher balance could reduce future-year contribution requests. - Cost categories: Board materials presented salary, taxes, retirement and benefits as the largest cost drivers; the presenter said very little of the budget is discretionary.

Staffing and special education The budget includes funding for one additional special education teacher to cover a projected increase in IEP caseloads; the presenter said current data suggest an additional 20 to 30 IEP students could join next year, which is factored into staffing plans. The presenter also listed current staffing counts in materials shown to the board: about 22.5 academic teachers and 17 vocational instructors; the special education staffing line in the draft budget includes the additional teacher.

Taxes, timeline and next steps Dr. Schottwald told the board the budget as presented includes the maximum 3% tax increase and that staff have 30 days from the meeting to work on additional savings. The presenter said future-year contribution increases were modeled at lower rates (1% in the near term, a 0.5% increase in later years) and that those projections reduce the fund balance over time if the modeled increases are applied.

What was not decided The preliminary budget was on the agenda for approval; the transcript records it as presented for approval but does not record the board’s final vote or formal adoption in this meeting.

Ending Board members and staff said they will continue to review areas for savings over the 30-day preliminary-budget period before any final vote.