Superintendent warns state budget impasse is straining districts and a board member flags rising suicidal ideation among 10th graders

Superintendent Brad reported to the Altoona Area School District board that the state budget has not been enacted and urged advocacy with local legislators so funding can be released to school districts. He said some federal funds that were previously withheld are beginning to be released, but allocations for title funds remain pending.

"There isn't [a state budget] in the foreseeable future from what was reported by our local legislators," Brad said, urging board members and the community to promote passage so funding can be released. He also described district operations as stable in the short term but noted the uncertainty creates fiscal pressure on day‑to‑day and payroll obligations.

A board member who attended the same presentation with the superintendent raised a separate concern about student mental health: while rates of drug and alcohol use among Blair County students have remained largely flat, "suicidal ideations [are] clearly spiking in tenth graders," the member said, calling the trend "sobering" and urging continued investment in counseling and behavioral health supports.

Brad described district outreach and preparations for the coming school year, including orientation for new staff, extracurricular activities beginning, and efforts to recruit families whose students attend cyber schools. He noted that proposed cyber‑funding reform in state budget negotiations could affect district tuition arrangements but that the district will await final budget language.

The board did not take formal action on these informational items; the statements were recorded as part of superintendent and board discussion during reports.