Mifflin County SD finance staff projects $5.4 million preliminary deficit for 2025-26 general fund

Belinda Pinnell, business office staff for the Mifflin County School District, told the school board that the draft 2025-26 general fund shows roughly $96 million in revenue and $101,608,295 in expenses, leaving a preliminary deficit of about $5.4 million.

Pinnell said the district’s revenue estimate excludes a proposed state “advocacy” increase the governor has put forward and therefore is conservative: "If we do get what the governor has proposed, it would be an additional 2 and a half million dollars for Millbrook County School District, but we can't depend on that," Pinnell said. She told the board the district is continuing work on projections and has a schedule aimed at producing a proposed budget for the May 22 meeting and a final budget by the state deadline of June 30.

Why it matters: the shortfall reflects rising payroll and benefit costs, increasing special-education and charter tuition obligations, and one-time and recurring stadium-related costs that will affect how the board uses fund balance and reserves.

Most important numbers and choices - Revenues: "a little under $96,000,000" (Pinnell). - Expenses: $101,608,295 (Pinnell's presentation), producing a preliminary deficit of about $5,400,000. - Payroll: Pinnell…