Dover Area School District reviews budget shortfall; board asks administration to model $400,000 and $900,000 expenditure‑reduction scenarios

Dover Area School District officials presented a budget update showing a projected roughly $2,500,000 shortfall and outlined options the board must weigh to close the gap, including limited use of fund balance, targeted expenditure reductions and modest millage increases. The board directed district administration to return in March with expenditure‑reduction scenarios at $400,000 and $900,000 and with updated fund‑balance estimates.

The presentation began when the board chair recognized the presenter, listed as Mrs. Weaver, who reviewed revenue and fund‑balance categories, county comparisons and the estimated impact of potential millage increases. Weaver told the board Dover’s unassigned fund balance is approximately 8.8% of the 2024‑25 budget and that “we are about a $2,500,000 deficit” in current projections. She summarized county comparisons, noted that Dover’s earned income tax level is among the higher school‑district rates in York County, and described how one‑time uses of fund balance reduce future interest revenue when invested funds are spent down.

Weaver reviewed revenue scenarios tied to the state adjusted index — the…