District treasurer says state budget likely to add roughly $1.6M in targeted subsidies; Act 1 referendum notice approved

Mill Creek Township School District Treasurer Mister O'Toole briefed the board Nov. 24 on how the recently passed state budget is expected to affect local revenue. He said the district tentatively would receive a roughly 1.4% increase to the basic education subsidy (about $259,000), a 3.9% increase to the special education subsidy (about $177,000), and an approximate 66% increase to the ready-to-learn block grant (about $1,300,000). He also said a prior $214,000 transitional payment previously arriving as a direct subsidy will be handled differently in the new budget and the district expects a net loss of roughly $64,000 associated with that change, producing a tentative net increase ‘‘pretty close’’ to $1.6 million over the prior budget year.

O'Toole cautioned that many formula factors remain unsettled and several of the increases are earmarked for specific purposes, not general operating use. He highlighted competitive grant opportunities (safety, security, solar) and noted the district had secured about $3 million in competitive grants in a prior year.

Separately, the board approved an Act 1 referendum notice (item 8.03) for the 2026–27 index at 4.3%; the board's action to post the notice passed after motion and voice vote and the transcript records one dissenting 'nay' by a board member ('Kins' or similar) during the exchange.