Northern Lehigh committee discusses state budget impasse and considers draft resolution on charter/cyber payments

The committee heard an update on the state budget impasse and the district’s fiscal outlook and discussed using a resolution to withhold payments to cyber and charter schools as a pressure tactic if the impasse continues.

Finance staff said the district’s fund balance and tax collections provide a short‑term cushion, allowing operations to continue into the winter months without borrowing. The business manager noted the district is required to submit its local share for certain state payments (PIAs) with an initial payment due in September, but the state share may be delayed due to the impasse.

A board member urged the district to prepare a motion or resolution to cease payments to cyber/charter schools until the state fully funds districts, noting the district used this approach in 2015 when a budget was delayed. “I would strongly recommend our school board ... that we cease paying our cyber charter schools and charter schools until we are fully funded by the state,” the member said.

Administration said it had discussed the idea with other local business managers and would draft a motion or resolution and bring language back to the board for consideration. The committee did not take a formal vote; members agreed administration should prepare the draft for possible future action.

Next steps: administration and business staff will draft proposed resolution language and research legal and operational implications before placing the item on a future agenda for board consideration.