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William Penn SD staff report steady finances but urge conservative budgeting amid state uncertainty
Summary
District staff told the board and public that year‑to‑date revenues and encumbrances are on track but urged districts to budget conservatively because Governor Shapiro’s proposed 2026–27 education funding increases are requests, not guaranteed appropriations.
William Penn School District staff presented a mid‑February financial update on district revenues, expenditures and the budget calendar, and warned that state budget uncertainty means districts should plan conservatively.
At the meeting, Miss Maslowski, the district presenter, said state school tax collections are at about 96% and transfer taxes have exceeded the budget, reflecting stronger local home sales. She reported delinquent tax collections stood at about 83.6% through January and that current encumbrances and committed expenditures total roughly 81.5% of the year’s budgeted amounts. “We are continuing to monitor [expenditures] closely,” Maslowski said.
Why it matters: those revenue and encumbrance levels shape how much the district can rely on locally controlled funds while waiting for state aid. Maslowski also summarized Governor Josh Shapiro’s Feb. 3 proposed 2026–27 budget — which she said includes a roughly 33.7% increase in education funding — and stressed that those figures are requests, not guaranteed appropriations.
The presenter urged caution. When asked whether the state budget will be on time this year, she and the moderator answered that, because it is an election year, current indicators do not point to a budget by the June 30 fiscal deadline and districts are being advised to prepare at current funding levels. An audience member, Raffy, asked whether the district anticipates meeting its target reserve level; Maslowski said the district is “trending in the right direction” but could not definitively say the reserve target will be met, noting that unencumbered funds might still be spent before year end.
The district’s budget schedule remains: advisory committee meetings through February–May; department and building budget presentations beginning in March and April; a proposed final budget adoption in May; and final adoption in June. Officials encouraged the public to attend the business meeting on Monday, which will be offered in person and via Zoom.
No motions or votes were taken on budget decisions during the session.
