Southeast Delco presents $123.6 million preliminary budget; staff signals possible millage increase
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Summary
Business staff presented a preliminary general fund budget for 2627 with total revenue and expenditures of $123,610,735 and an initial proposed 3% millage increase (which staff said they hope to reduce nearer to 2%). Drivers include charter tuition increases, special‑education contracted services and teacher contract steps.
Mister Butler presented the Southeast Delco School District's preliminary general fund budget for fiscal year 2627 at the Committee of the Whole on April 16, reporting proposed revenue and expenditures of $123,610,735 and an initial suggested millage increase of 3 percent.
Butler outlined the principal cost drivers: a $1,453,001 increase in charter school tuition payments; an approximately $1.3 million increase in contracted services for special education; a $1,651,007.84 increase in teacher contract salary costs tied to step movement and new positions; and higher salary and benefit line items across clerical, facilities, technology and security roles. He said salaries and fringe benefits remain the largest share of district expenditures.
On taxation, Butler showed a draft that would raise the district millage from 32.5341 to 33.5101. He noted the district’s adjusted Act 1 index allows a higher potential increase (up to 5.2 percent under the current index) but said the administration does not intend to propose the full allowable increase. “I am truly hopeful that we will be closer to 2%,” Butler said, adding that the administration will continue to refine the numbers before the board adopts a final budget. The board must place the preliminary document on record now per school code; final adoption is scheduled for the June legislative meeting on June 25.
Butler also described enrollment and funding context: the presentation included projected enrollment, charter tuition impacts, and the district’s reserves and debt service obligations. He described a small window to incorporate any new tax‑able property resulting from approved assessment appeals; if those properties are confirmed by the county before adoption, they would be reflected as a windfall in the budget.
Ending: Butler and finance staff will post supporting documents and hold upcoming work sessions to refine line items. The board will consider the preliminary budget on the record and continue work sessions ahead of a final vote in June.
