Board reviews Shapiro budget proposal; staff recommends including proposed state increases in draft budget

During the Feb. 25 work session, a staff presenter reviewed high‑level elements of Governor Josh Shapiro's February 2025 education budget proposal and county figures from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and discussed how draft district budgeting should respond.

The staff summary listed proposed statewide figures cited in the governor's address, including a $75,000,000 increase to basic education funding, $40,000,000 for special education, a $526,000,000 increase for adequacy and equity, $100,000,000 for safety and security grants, and other line items. Using county‑level calculations, the presenter said the district's estimated increase in basic education funding would be about $63,404 (about 0.75%) and that the proposed total increase in state funding for the district would be $670,310. The presenter emphasized these figures are proposed amounts, not final appropriations, and noted uncertainty about whether some grants will fund previously received awards or new applications.

Board members discussed whether to plan the district budget using proposed figures and several supported including the estimates in the draft budget so the district would be prepared if the state numbers hold. The staff presenter said final figures often arrive in May and that the administration will update the budget once official numbers are released. The district's recent near‑breakeven result (about $21,000 positive in the last year) and existing fund balance were factors members cited in supporting inclusion of the proposed state increases in planning.

Staff said the district will monitor developments in Harrisburg, prepare a March presentation with more detail, and bring updated figures to the board as final numbers become available.