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Morrisville officials say state budget delay is withholding roughly $800,000 per month from district coffers
Summary
District leaders told the board that the state has not finalized its budget, Title I and Title II funding are in place but other subsidies are withheld, and an estimated $800,000 monthly revenue shortfall is forcing the district to delay nonessential orders and rely on tax receipts until escrow payments arrive.
Superintendent Dr. Andrew Dowser told trustees that the state has not passed a budget and the district is operating while some subsidy funding remains withheld. "So, some of our funding is still being withheld until that budget goes through," a board member said, and Dr. Dowser added the district is relying on tax payments to operate while awaiting state actions.
Dr. Dowser said Title I and Title II funding have been confirmed, but the district is missing a substantial portion of its usual subsidy revenue. "Right now with these subsidies being withheld, it is an $800,000 a month average of revenue stream that is not coming in," he said.
To manage cash flow, administrators said they are delaying nonessential purchasing. Dr. Dowser explained that items typically ordered now for spring use will be deferred and only near-term needs will be ordered later in the fall. He also said the district expects an influx of tax monies and escrow payments by the 28th (as stated in the meeting) and will update the board once those funds are received.
Board members discussed compliance details for proposed expenditures — for example, a required six-inch base of mulch for playgrounds under Pennsylvania guidance — and asked administrators to examine individual line items closely before committing funds. No formal vote or policy change addressing the budget shortfall was recorded at the meeting.
