Neshaminy School Board adopts $213.7 million 2024–25 budget, approves package of routine motions

The Neshaminy School District Board of School Directors on a unanimous 7–0 vote adopted the district’s final operating budget for fiscal year 2024–25 and approved a package of routine motions covering personnel, procurement, programs and policy.

At the meeting, a board member moved to adopt a final operating budget that lists a general fund amount of $213,713,536 and revenues and other financing sources of $210,000,713.05. The motion also set the district’s real estate tax rate at 81.675 mills. The board noted that the average tax increase shown in materials distributed to the board is $288.28 annually. The budget motion, introduced during the operations section and seconded by Mr. Rodriguez, passed 7–0.

The board moved several related fiscal and administrative items in a single series of motions. Those actions included authorization for year‑end budget transfers and adjustments to align receipts and expenditures for federal and other programs (the board-recorded adjusted total for those programs was $208,450,253.59), ratification of student activity account expenses, and authority for the business administrator to use cooperative purchasing contracts when financially advantageous.

Other notable approvals included: a homestead and farmstead exclusion resolution to authorize real estate tax assessment reductions for the 2024–25 school year under the Homestead Property Exclusion program; renewal of stop‑loss insurance with Sun Life with a $350,000 deductible (following a consultant recommendation and noting the district’s use of Independence Blue Cross for medical and prescription coverage); and multiple personnel motions covering certificated and support staff retirements, appointments, leaves and ancillary personnel actions.

The board also approved program and partnership items: an amendment to the Irene Boyle Senior Citizen Tax Assistance Program raising maximum income eligibility from $29,999 to $34,999; an agreement with the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission to use opioid‑settlement funds to reimburse up to $25,000 for a four‑week summer program serving about 60 students with truancy‑related needs; acceptance of a $5,000 donation from Lower Southampton Township to support that summer program; and an advertising agreement with Inspire Federal Credit Union for static advertising on the scoreboard at Harry E. Frank Stadium.

Policy business included the second reading and final adoption of policies recommended by the board policy committee, including a new advertising policy (Policy 919).

The board announced a special meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 26, 2024, listed in the meeting as a day when it will vote on a contract described in the transcript as the "NFT contract." The board said a public announcement would follow.

Votes at a glance

- 5.01 Final operating budget for 2024–25 (general fund $213,713,536; revenues listed as $210,000,713.05): Passed 7–0. - 5.02 Homestead and farmstead exclusion resolution: Passed 7–0. - 5.03 Stop‑loss insurance (Sun Life, $350,000 deductible): Passed 7–0. - 5.04 Year‑end budget transfers authorization: Passed 7–0. - 5.05 Budget adjustments for federal and other programs (adjusted total $208,450,253.59): Passed 7–0. - 5.06 Student activity account ratification (07/01/2023–05/31/2024): Passed 7–0. - 5.07 Irene Boyle Senior Citizen Tax Assistance Program modification (max income eligibility increase to $34,999): Passed 7–0. - 5.08 Bucks County RWAN resolution (countywide network service agreement): Passed 7–0. - 5.09 Contract participation authorization (cooperative purchasing/piggyback): Passed 7–0. - 5.11–5.13 Revised annual appointments, contracted services, and revised meal pricing: Passed 7–0. - 5.14 Opioid‑settlement funded summer pass program agreement (reimbursement up to $25,000; approx. 60 students): Passed 7–0. - 05/2015 Donation acceptance from Lower Southampton Township ($5,000): Passed 7–0. - 5.16 Summer work projects approval (additional summer hours/time): Passed 7–0. - 5.17 Advertising agreement with Inspire Federal Credit Union (stadium scoreboard): Passed 7–0. - 6.01 Out‑of‑district placements (2 students): Passed 7–0. - 7.01 Policy second reading and final adoption (includes new Policy 919 Advertising): Passed 7–0.

The meeting record shows no public comment and several items were handled as master motions or consent items and approved unanimously. The board gave public recognition to graduates and to volunteers who supported district events during the year. The board noted it had met in executive session before the public meeting to discuss safety and security, contract negotiations, and confidential employment matters and scheduled a special meeting on July 26 for an upcoming contract vote.