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Baldwin-Whitehall board adopts proposed final budget, holds millage at 25 mills amid funding uncertainty
Summary
The Baldwin-Whitehall School Board approved its proposed final budget for 2025–26 with the millage rate unchanged at 25 mills and a projected $236,000 deficit, citing uncertain state aid, pending homestead/farmstead reports and an expiring teacher contract.
The Baldwin-Whitehall School District School Board on Wednesday approved a proposed final budget for fiscal 2025–26 that keeps the millage rate at 25 mills and carries a projected shortfall of about $236,000.
The board approved the budget as part of the business consent agenda after a detailed presentation from the district’s business office. Mr. Cherpek, the district’s business official, told the board “we're running with a deficit of about $236,000 for 2526” and outlined the revenue and expense drivers affecting next year’s plan.
Why it matters: The district’s spending plan is heavily dependent on state aid and final county homestead/farmstead counts that are not yet certified. Board members and staff said those uncertainties — plus an expiring teachers’ contract on June 30 — make the budget provisional and subject to change before final adoption.
What the budget covers: Mr. Cherpek presented a totals view showing roughly $90.9 million in proposed expenses and about $90.7 million in projected revenue, with personnel-related costs forming the bulk of spending. He said total annual salary for next year is roughly $35 million and total payroll and benefits are about $62 million. The district also proposed $5.7 million for capital projects.
State funding and cyber charter costs drew extended discussion. Board member Mr. Bell said he believed the district is “about 12% underfunded by the state” and urged more advocacy. Superintendent Dr. Lutz and Mr. Cherpek described the district’s ongoing advocacy with legislators and noted that much of the preliminary increase from Harrisburg is arriving through the Ready to Learn (adequacy) supplement rather than the basic education line. Dr. Lutz raised concerns about how cyber charter funding is allocated, noting Baldwin-Whitehall pays roughly $13,000 per regular-education cyber student and $27,000 per special-education cyber student while the district estimates it could educate some students for $4,000–$7,000.
Uncertainties the board flagged: staff said the county-certified homestead/farmstead counts and the PDE property tax reduction numbers normally arrive late in the cycle; the governor’s preliminary budget was used for the district’s numbers and could change; and the teacher bargaining unit contract expires June 30, which could affect final personnel costs. Mr. Cherpek said the district will publish the proposed final budget for public review and still must submit the file to the state by June 30.
Votes at a glance: The board approved the business consent items that included the proposed final budget.
- Motion: Approve consent action items (business) 2.2–2.7, including the proposed final budget and millage at 25 mills. Outcome: approved. Tally: yes 8, no 0, abstain 0, absent 1. - Motion: Approve consent action items (non-personnel) 6.2–6.28 (includes contracts, equipment and other business items discussed in the business agenda). Outcome: approved. Tally: yes 8, no 0, abstain 0, absent 1. - Motion: Approve personnel consent items 4.2–4.23. Outcome: approved. Tally: yes 8, no 0, abstain 0, absent 1. - Motion: Approve SeaPerch student participation (6.x). Outcome: approved. Tally reported: yes 7, no 0, abstain 1, absent 1.
Discussion vs. decision: Board members emphasized that the approved proposed final budget is a working document. Staff repeatedly said the plan could change before final adoption when pending state and county numbers arrive and after contract settlements. No staff reductions were reported as part of the proposed plan; Mr. Cherpek said there are some additions but “no reductions in staff.”
What’s next: The district will make the proposed final budget available for public review, publish notice of the final budget hearing, and return in June for final approval once additional state and county information is available.
Ending: Board members urged continued advocacy with state lawmakers over adequacy and cyber charter funding, and staff said they will present updated numbers at the final budget vote later this summer.
