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Columbia‑Montour VOTEC proposes $11.5M budget; Southern Columbia's share estimated at $982,929 and vote is tabled
Summary
Columbia‑Montour VOTEC representatives presented an $11,500,000 budget for 2025–26 and said Southern Columbia's contribution would be $982,929. Board members raised concerns about teacher contract negotiations and a potential drainage issue in the VOTEC kitchen; a motion to table the VOTEC budget was carried and the vote postponed to next month.
Tony Bilo and Curtis Funkhouser of Columbia‑Montour VOTEC presented their proposed 2025–26 budget and answered district board questions about revenue allocation and program costs.
Tony Bilo told the board his district applied for and received a $700,000 facility improvement grant that is being used for a generator and roofing in a recent renovation. He summarized the VOTEC budget as $11,500,000 in total, with sending‑district contributions accounting for about 73 percent of that total.
The presenters identified Southern Columbia's projected contribution at $982,929 for 2025–26. The presenters characterized that figure as an increase over the current year; the transcript did not capture a clear current‑year dollar comparison. The VOTEC representative also said per‑student cost was roughly $12,765 and predicted total staffing and program numbers for next year.
Board members raised questions about fund balance, transportation contracting and the effect of teacher contract negotiations on budget timing. One board member urged prioritizing projects most likely to fail (water tanks, sanitary piping) and noted that substantial grant funding often requires a local match.
During fiscal business, a board member moved to table the Columbia‑Montour (VOTEC) budget until next month, citing ongoing teacher contract negotiations and a possible drainage/pipe issue in the VOTEC kitchen and cafeteria that may require an assessment and could involve large costs. The motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote; the board will revisit the budget after more information and committee discussion.
What comes next: district and VOTEC staff will gather additional information requested by board members (drainage assessment, contract negotiation impacts) and the VOTEC budget will return to the board at the subsequent meeting.
