Jim Fink, Spring‑Ford Area School District chief financial officer, told the board on Nov. 24 the district’s proposed 2026–27 preliminary budget currently shows a roughly $5.8–$5.9 million gap and projected expense growth of about 3.44%.

Fink said wages and related taxes/benefits make up about 70% of the district’s overall expenditures. He outlined personnel projections — professional wages up about 5.3% and admin/support wages near 2.5% — and said estimated retirement contributions are expected to rise (the presentation showed an estimate moving toward 34.8% of payroll). Health‑benefit costs are tracking lower than last year’s large increase, with the district currently estimating about a 4.6% increase year‑over‑year following consultant review.

On non‑personnel items, Fink noted the district spends roughly $5 million on charter schools and that for a typical non‑special‑education student the district’s annual charter tuition is about $17,000; he also said the transportation contract is up at year‑end and the budget includes roughly a 5% increase for that line. Legal costs — especially appraisal work tied to commercial property tax appeals — and debt‑service pressures are additional budget drivers.

Fink explained the Act 1 index is roughly 3.5% this year; accounting for the index leaves the district about $1 million above the index target, which he described as 'achievable' given additional data and adjustments to come. He asked the board to expect deeper budget analysis over the winter: the administration will issue budget books in early January, perform personnel walks with principals, and aim to adopt a final budget at the May board meeting after a January 20 work‑session vote to adopt the proposed preliminary budget.

Board members asked several clarifying questions about the presentation slides and numeric displays. When asked whether arrows on the slides denoted totals or deltas, Fink clarified the arrows represent increases from last year’s final budget (for example, transportation was shown as an expected $420,000 increase). In response to a question about delayed state funds caused by the state budget impasse, Fink confirmed there had been a delay and said he will present calculations on lost interest to the finance committee in January.

Next steps: the administration will continue detailed analysis, provide updated pension and benefit figures in December–April as outside estimates finalize, and return for a board vote on the proposed preliminary budget at the Jan. 20 work session with the goal of final adoption in May.