Oxford Area SD reviews preliminary 2026–27 pupil allocation and budget timeline
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Summary
School board reviewed a preliminary discretionary per‑pupil allocation and the timeline for the 2026–27 budgeting process, discussed weighted enrollment and declining headcount, and scheduled votes next week to finalize allocations and calendar items.
Oxford Area SD school board members spent the work session reviewing a preliminary step in the 2026–27 budgeting process and discussing how declining enrollment affects school‑level discretionary funding.
Mr. Cooney, who walked the board through the district’s proposed per‑pupil discretionary allocation, described the item as the first step in the 2026–27 budgeting process. The allocation is intended for school‑level discretionary spending — supplies, conferences and program dues — not personnel, benefits or utilities. In the presentation Mr. Cooney said the recommendation for per‑pupil discretionary funds appears in the packet as "$176," and later in the discussion the figure is referenced as "$1.76," creating an inconsistency in the record; the transcript does not resolve which figure is correct.
"This is the kind of the first step in the 26‑27 budgeting process," Mr. Cooney said, describing the timeline and the need to issue totals to schools early so principals and departments can build school‑level plans. He also noted that the district’s total allocation for the buildings is slightly below the current year because enrollment has declined.
Board members asked for clarification of the district’s use of 'weighted' enrollment to allocate funds. Mr. Cooney explained the weighting raises the effective pupil count for higher‑cost grades and programs (for example, high school electives), so weighted enrollment can be higher than headcount in older grades. He said some neighboring districts have seen small percentage declines in enrollment and that Oxford Area SD’s buildings have capacity to absorb growth without immediate renovations.
The board was told that 24‑25 allocations were about 97% distributed across buildings and that the finance office aims to present a formal allocation vote at next Tuesday’s meeting so schools can begin school‑level budgeting after the holidays.
Next steps: the board is expected to vote on the recommended allocations and calendar items at its next regular meeting; no formal vote on 2026‑27 allocations was recorded during the work session.
Ending: The board closed the discussion and moved on to other agenda items.