Spring-Ford board hears finance committee update; preliminary 2026–27 budget presentation set for next week

The Spring-Ford Area School District’s finance committee reviewed October financial data at the Nov. 17 board meeting and scheduled a public presentation of the 2026–27 preliminary budget for next Monday, with a reminder that the board must adopt the preliminary (Act 1) tax-related item in January.

Finance chair Missus Westwood told the board the district had about $150,000,000 in cash on hand as of Oct. 31. Assessments rose approximately $5,100,000 since the prior month, primarily from residential property, and transfer-tax receipts were reported at about 52% of the annual goal and roughly $500,000 ahead of the prior year to date. "For earned income tax, we're almost 200 ks ahead of prior year to date reflecting a 4.7% year over year growth," the finance chair said.

The report noted state revenues earlier in the fiscal year were below expectations because of the Pennsylvania budget impasse, but committee members said the state budget has since passed, which should improve the outlook. Health-insurance claims were higher in October, though the district’s actuary (Ruskini) forecasted a modest 4.5% increase in claims for the coming year compared with a previously higher forecast. Food-service figures were discussed: the committee reported the district served roughly 215,000 meals year-to-date versus about 211,000 the prior year.

Board members thanked committee staff for work on a capital-plan debt appetite analysis and other forecasting. The committee previewed several items for future meetings, including capital-plan scenarios and contract reviews. No formal spending approvals or bond actions were taken at this meeting; the budget presentation is scheduled for the board meeting next week and the board is expected to vote on adoption in January.

What’s next: The board will receive the 2026–27 preliminary budget presentation next Monday; adoption of required Act 1 budget items is expected in January.