Manheim Township board previews $4.16M budget shortfall, endorses safety upgrades and multiple contracts

Mrs. Robbins, the district's budget presenter, told the Manheim Township School Board on April 22 that the preliminary 2026–27 budget shows a starting shortfall of roughly $4.16 million and that the administration will continue refining numbers before final approval in June. She said labor is the largest expense driver and that the budget assumes a 3.75% increase in the teachers' contract for next year.

Why it matters: The shortfall and the large share of the budget tied to labor shape the board's options for balancing services, maintaining staff levels and deciding whether to use fund balance or propose a tax-rate increase. Mrs. Robbins said nonrecurring items — proposed curriculum materials and security upgrades totaling about $943,000 — would be paid from designated fund balance if the board authorizes it.

The presentation and key numbers: Mrs. Robbins said the budget includes a $4.7 million increase for labor (salaries and benefits) and that nonrecurring requests total about $943,000, including roughly $840,000 for curriculum materials and $103,000 for safety/security work. Preliminary totals shown to the board were about $138.2 million in expenditures and roughly $134.0 million in revenues, producing the $4.16 million shortfall; applying the recommended fund-balance designations would lower that shortfall to about $3.22 million with a 0% tax-rate scenario. Mrs. Robbins cautioned that tuition for out-of-district placements and Intermediate Unit special-education costs remain estimates until final invoices are received.

Transportation and special education costs: Transportation director Matt Gillis said increased routing and added vehicles for special-education placements drove a sharp uptick in transportation spending this year. He told the board the district added three buses for nonpublic IEP-based transportation plus additional vans and that repair, maintenance and vehicle-replacement timing also affect costs. Gillis highlighted a fuel-hedging arrangement that locked unleaded fuel at about $2.50 per gallon (through June 2027), calling that a notable cost-avoidance.

Safety investments: As part of the security discussion, Gillis described two proposed safety measures: Centegix panic-response badges (a mobile alert/badge system that can geo-locate an alert and pull nearby camera footage) and Nightlock pull-down shades for classroom lockdown privacy. Gillis estimated recurring costs for the Centegix service at about $67,000 and a one-time cost of roughly $37,000 for the Nightlock shades. Board members framed the purchases in the context of “Alyssa's Law”-style expectations and local safety needs.

Revenue assumptions and risks: Mrs. Robbins said the administration budgeted 100% of the state "adequacy" funds this cycle after previously including 50% because recent payments made the district more confident in the revenue stream; she acknowledged the risk that state action could change funding and said the budget team would monitor developments. She also cited an expected $495,000 increase from expanded medical-assistance billing (OT/PT and similar services) as contingent on improved documentation and timing.

Board action and votes at the meeting: The board approved a package of routine and project motions on voice votes or roll call, including: • Approval of the consent agenda (with the personnel report item 6c removed for separate action). • Postponement of personnel item I (salary increase guideline) to next month after a motion to amend the personnel report passed. • Awarding phase 2 site work at Landis Run to Horse Excavating (low bidder). • Awarding the high-school roof restoration contract to Progressive Roofing for $1,175,370. • Selection of option B (end-zone backdrop) as the official design direction for campus master plan phase 3 and authorization to proceed to detailed architectural planning. • Approval of Panorama as the district's new data platform for 2026–27 at a net cost of $109,662.30 (an 18% discount was noted). • Approval of a new five-year copy/print contract with Docio (monthly cost $10,913.46) and approval of Ready Classroom (i-Ready) elementary math materials (~$603,906.33 anticipated cost). • Approval of the Lancaster-Lebanon IU13 operating budget and the Lancaster County Academy proposed budget for 2026–27.

What the board asked: Board members pressed for details on implementation and scope — Dr. McArdle asked whether the 525 classrooms slated for safety shades covered all school buildings (Gillis said shades focus on classrooms, not administrative offices); Ms. Hentz asked for data on how many resident regular-education students are not bused (Gillis estimated roughly 500 walking students) and for ideas about possible budget reductions that would avoid a tax increase; other members raised glass-safety concerns for the fieldhouse and asked designers to address community feedback.

Next steps: Administration said it will continue refining expenses and revenues before the board is asked to adopt a proposed tax rate in June; the board scheduled further budget updates in May and final action in June. The board also announced its next meeting for May 4 (facilities committee of the whole).