Marple Newtown board reviews routine finance reports, previews Act 1 preliminary tax resolution
November 12, 2025 | Marple Newtown SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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The Marple Newtown School Board’s Budget & Finance committee reviewed routine monthly bills, budget transfers and a request to establish a memorial scholarship during its Nov. 11 committee meeting.
Finance staff presented item 3.03, the board’s regular bills for payment reflecting check runs through the prior week, and said additional check runs will be posted at the full voting meeting in two weeks. Staff also summarized monthly financial reports for the 2025–26 fiscal year and confirmed the 2024–25 year is closed.
Board members discussed a taxpayer request (item 3.05) for a refund of the early‑payment discount after tax payments were returned in the mail. Staff said they could not find a predated check for this case but provided a history of prior on‑time payments; the presenter noted the board has sometimes refunded discounts for taxpayers with a consistent on‑time history.
The committee approved transfers from budgetary reserve to cover unexpected vehicle repairs — including a costly van transmission replacement — and outsourced maintenance for buses while the district’s bus garage project was active. Staff also said transfers will cover items budgeted in a prior year but received this year, including required athletic equipment (wrestling mat and pole‑vault pads required by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association), and signage upgrades recommended by local police.
On item 3.07, staff described a preliminary Act 1 ‘not to exceed’ resolution that would set the district’s tax index at 3.5%. The presenter said the board has adopted a similar measure in prior years; a formal vote is scheduled at the upcoming voting meeting. Board members said they value early notice to taxpayers about the district’s approach to the Act 1 index.
Staff presented the draft FY2024–25 audit (item 3.08), saying the report includes the required communications and carried an unmodified (clean) opinion with no significant findings. Final issuance awaits a single federal audit report delayed by a federal shutdown, the presenter said.
The committee also heard a request to create the Molly Golban STEM Memorial Scholarship (item 3.09), proposed to support female students pursuing engineering or life sciences in college.
What’s next: the board is expected to take formal action on the Act 1 preliminary resolution at its voting meeting in two weeks and to consider the scholarship and routine approvals at future agenda items.
Finance staff presented item 3.03, the board’s regular bills for payment reflecting check runs through the prior week, and said additional check runs will be posted at the full voting meeting in two weeks. Staff also summarized monthly financial reports for the 2025–26 fiscal year and confirmed the 2024–25 year is closed.
Board members discussed a taxpayer request (item 3.05) for a refund of the early‑payment discount after tax payments were returned in the mail. Staff said they could not find a predated check for this case but provided a history of prior on‑time payments; the presenter noted the board has sometimes refunded discounts for taxpayers with a consistent on‑time history.
The committee approved transfers from budgetary reserve to cover unexpected vehicle repairs — including a costly van transmission replacement — and outsourced maintenance for buses while the district’s bus garage project was active. Staff also said transfers will cover items budgeted in a prior year but received this year, including required athletic equipment (wrestling mat and pole‑vault pads required by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association), and signage upgrades recommended by local police.
On item 3.07, staff described a preliminary Act 1 ‘not to exceed’ resolution that would set the district’s tax index at 3.5%. The presenter said the board has adopted a similar measure in prior years; a formal vote is scheduled at the upcoming voting meeting. Board members said they value early notice to taxpayers about the district’s approach to the Act 1 index.
Staff presented the draft FY2024–25 audit (item 3.08), saying the report includes the required communications and carried an unmodified (clean) opinion with no significant findings. Final issuance awaits a single federal audit report delayed by a federal shutdown, the presenter said.
The committee also heard a request to create the Molly Golban STEM Memorial Scholarship (item 3.09), proposed to support female students pursuing engineering or life sciences in college.
What’s next: the board is expected to take formal action on the Act 1 preliminary resolution at its voting meeting in two weeks and to consider the scholarship and routine approvals at future agenda items.
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