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Blackhawk School Board hears improved budget forecast and plans $1.9M capital transfer; Act 1 resolution set for vote
Summary
Finance staff told the board their preliminary forecast narrowed a projected $1.7M deficit to about $715,000, proposed transferring $1.9M from health accounts into a new capital projects fund, and scheduled an Act 1 resolution for the Jan. 16 voting session.
At its Jan. 9 work session, the Blackhawk School Board of Directors was told the district’s preliminary 2024–25 forecast has improved but still requires planning: finance staff reported a roughly $715,000 projected deficit, down from an earlier $1.7 million projection, and outlined a recommended $1.9 million transfer from health accounts into a new capital projects fund to begin addressing aging facilities.
“A transfer of funds from those health accounts…we’re coming in around $715,000 deficit,” said Aaron, the district finance lead, summarizing the forecast and the proposed reallocation. He told the board projected revenue is running about $4 million higher than budgeted, driven in part by transfers and stronger-than-expected real-estate collections; CTC tuition also came in about $700,000 over budgeted expectations.
Why it matters: the board must decide whether to move surplus cash into a capital fund and how to set next year’s millage within the state’s Act 1 limits. Finance staff explained the Act 1 index mechanics and modeling: an adjusted index of roughly 5.4 percent was used for planning, yielding example maximum millage figures of about 10.6876 mills for Beaver County and 23.715 mills for Lawrence County if the full adjustment were applied.
Board members repeatedly cautioned that the improved totals are largely a reallocation rather than “new” revenue. “There’s not a $4,000,000 free money,” a board member said, urging careful prioritization if the $1.9 million is placed in a capital projects account.
Procedural next steps: the board voted to add finance consent items — including a tax-assessment settlement, a tax-collector compensation resolution and an Act 1 opt-out resolution — to the Jan. 16 voting agenda for formal action. Auditors are expected to finish the compliance audit in February; the district plans to present audited financial statements at the second February meeting, when fund-balance figures will be finalized.
The board next meets on Jan. 16, when members will consider the Act 1-related resolution and the other items added to the voting agenda.
