Spring‑Ford board approves preliminary budget, authorizes application for referendum exceptions

The Spring‑Ford Area School District board on Monday voted unanimously to adopt a preliminary budget and authorize filing for referendum exceptions required under the state school code.

Doctor Wright moved the motion and it was seconded; the board recorded the motion as carried 9–0. Doctor Wright told colleagues he had opposed the district's referendum exception last year but would support the board's current action, saying, "I did not vote for the budget last year ... I'm voting in support of our board so we can move this forward." Superintendent Doctor Scanlon clarified that approving an application to seek referendum exceptions "does not mean that we are taking exceptions" this year.

The item bundles two finance actions that must follow state timelines under Act 1 of 2006. Administration and the finance committee presented revenue and expenditure context: cash on hand was reported as $139,000,000 with prior‑year comparables; local revenues are behind due to real‑estate assessment appeals; transfer‑tax receipts were estimated to finish the year near $3.0–3.2 million; and earned income tax receipts were pacing at about $15.2–15.5 million. The district reported that its 2024–25 audit is complete with an unqualified opinion.

Trustees asked for clarity about what applying for exceptions would mean in practice and received assurances that application is a procedural step required by state timelines, not an automatic adoption of higher taxes. Missus Hermans, who participated online, reiterated board norms about supporting the board's actions regardless of individual prior votes.

Next steps: the board will bring final budget items to a public vote during next week's voting session, with continued discussion available at committee meetings. The administration will provide timeline details and the specific exception categories being sought if and when staff files the formal application.