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District reports youth-center billing shortfalls and readies for regional detention center planning
Summary
The district reported $42,000 billed to districts for education at the Berks County Youth Center and $8,000 collected to date; enrollment averaged 8–10 students. County plans for a regional detention center could change facility operations in 2026–27.
District staff updated the board on the Schuylkill Valley Education Center (Berks County Youth Center) operations and funding. From July 1 to Jan. 16 the district billed just over $42,000 for educating youth at the center and has collected a little over $8,000 to date; collection efforts continue and the state’s Title I Part D funding mechanism may be used to resolve disputes or unpaid amounts through PDE intervention.
Enrollment at the youth center averaged about 8–10 students and has fluctuated day‑to‑day. The district explained that transportation costs are shared (district of residence, receiving district, and county/children & youth splitting costs in one noted arrangement). The director said the campus can accommodate more students but that daily counts have remained low.
County planning for a new multi‑county detention center (possible counties: Lehigh, Dauphin and Berks) was discussed; the county has indicated the new facility could open as early as Q1 2026 or possibly as late as Q3 2027. That building may co‑locate shelter and detention space on different floors. The district’s contract for prison programming currently extends through 2026–27; the timing of the detention center could affect future contracts and programming oversight.
District officials said they will continue billing, follow PDE procedures if payments are not made within statutory timeframes, and coordinate with county officials on planning and timelines.
