Upper West County Technical School presents budget, enrollment and program expansion plans

Upper West County Technical School leaders told the Pennridge finance and facilities committee on March 10 that their proposed 2025–26 budget prioritizes expanding career and technical programs while using fund balance to cover an expected operating shortfall.

"This budget represents a collaborative effort reflecting the dedication of our exceptional faculty and staff, our talented students, future students and parents, and the invaluable support of our business partners," said Michael Verra, executive director of Upper West County Technical School, summarizing the document presented to the district committee.

Presenters said enrollment projections for the upcoming year sit near 935–950 students out of a total capacity of about 1,036 seats; the presentation showed several programs with waiting lists and projected red‑dot indicators for seats with waiting lists of 10 or more. To reduce waiting lists, UPCTS proposed several new or expanded offerings, including a planned fire program and added seats within the transportation cluster. The school estimated a per‑student cost of about $2,000 for the proposed fire program and budgeted additional staffing for transportation pathways.

The budget document included a $150,000 allocation to explore developing a new program (examples discussed included aviation and expanded small‑engines work tied to local airport partnerships). Verra described outreach to local industry, including Airiam (an aviation company) and regional employers, to create work‑based learning and apprenticeship pathways. "We successfully presented this budget in front of Palisades and Quakertown... we serve the needs of preschool districts, and we want to make sure that it represents everyone's," Verra said.

UPCTS staff told the committee they expect about $1.06 million in state vocational subsidy for 2025–26 and noted uncertainty in federal and Perkins funding levels. Perkins funding for the center was estimated at about $146,000 for the coming year; leaders said Perkins typically pays a share of instructor costs and may be used for facilitator salaries or equipment in different centers.

Administrators presented the technical school's 2023–24 surplus and fund balance situation: a 2023–24 operating surplus of about $896,000 plus previously assigned balances left the center with approximately $870,000 of excess funds available. The joint operating committee (JOC) must decide whether to assign those funds to capital projects, return them to member districts, or set aside for other uses. Members of the Pennridge board and the UPCTS presenters discussed whether the excess should be returned to sending districts or held for capital and program investments; presenters said the JOC will deliberate once the final audit document is received.

Officials also discussed the technical school's long‑term facility plan and capital needs. Verra and finance staff said recent capital work (including roof and control system projects) and the center's long‑range plan will inform future capital requests. The presentation noted a planned capital request of about $113,000 for 2025–26 items and an additional capital replacement program.

Committee members and presenters debated whether JOC should return surplus funds to sending districts or assign them to long‑term facilities or programming. No formal action was taken by the Pennridge committee; UPCTS leaders said the JOC will deliberate and vote on the disposition of the 2023–24 excess after the audit is filed.