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Berwick Area SD preliminary budget proposes $11.5 million, Berwick contribution rises to $2.396 million
Summary
The acting superintendent presented a $11.5 million draft budget that factors a 3% tax increase as the maximum and estimates district contributions of $8.3 million. Berwick’s share was listed at $2,396,000, up $145,000, driven largely by enrollment and staffing costs.
The board received a presentation on the preliminary district budget that projects total operating spending of $11,500,000 for the coming year. The presenter said district contributions would cover about $8.3 million of that amount, with Berwick Area SD’s share calculated at $2,396,000 — an increase of $145,000 from the previous year.
The presenter attributed the change to two main factors: overall budget growth (including salaries and benefits) and a rise in Berwick’s student enrollment, which is used in a four‑year formula to allocate costs among sending districts. The presenter reported 195 Berwick students currently enrolled in the regional program (196 spots are allotted), and said higher headcount raised Berwick’s percentage of the contribution pool.
The draft also includes limited discretionary spending, a modest capital reserve for unforeseen repairs, and a projected year‑end general fund balance of about $1,100,000. The presenter noted that any higher-than-projected fund balance would reduce future year contribution requests because surplus funds roll into the district’s general fund.
Acting district leadership said primary cost drivers are salaries and health insurance and that the budget includes funding for one additional special‑education teacher to cover an expected increase in IEP caseload. The presentation estimated current IEP enrollment at 61 students with a possible 20–30 additional special‑education students next year.
The draft budget factors a 3% tax increase as the maximum scenario and shows multi‑year assumptions that include modest percentage increases in later years; the presenter said the board has 30 days to continue reviewing the draft and seek further savings before final adoption. No final vote on the full budget was recorded in the transcript excerpt.
Next steps: the preliminary budget remained on the agenda for further board review; the board will continue deliberations during the 30‑day review window and return with final adoption procedures later in the budget cycle.
