Baldwin-Whitehall SD previews 2026-27 revenue budget as "Ready to Learn" funding winds down

Baldwin-Whitehall School District finance staff presented the revenue side of the proposed 2026-27 budget, emphasizing local tax collections, state grants and a small federal share that together drive the district's finances.

The district's current millage is 25; with the Act 1 index at 4.7%, administrators said the maximum allowable millage next year would be 26.175. Finance staff projected each mill generates about $1.8 million in revenue and estimated local revenue would increase roughly $2.3 million year over year under the current assumptions.

"So currently, our millage rate is 25," the budget presenter said, noting the district plans to describe expense proposals in May and adopt a final budget in June.

Officials told the board the district's revenue mix is roughly 56% local, 42% state and 2% federal, but that composition is heavily influenced by a nearly $9 million "Ready to Learn" state grant that is time-limited. "Out of roughly $40,000,000 total, a little bit over $9,000,000 of that, almost 25% of that is Ready to Learn money, which has an end date," the presenter said, adding the board should monitor replacement options.

The district also walked the board through recent assessed-value trends. Staff reported a net reduction in taxable assessed values of about $2.1 million across Baldwin Township, Baldwin Borough and Whitehall, producing a revenue impact of about $53,000 at the current millage. The solicitor added legal context, pointing to a 2022 court matter that pushed Allegheny County's common level ratio lower and led to substantial shifts in how some commercial properties were assessed.

"The common level ratio has stabilized," the solicitor said. "Last year was 52.7%. This year, it's 50.14%."

Administrators outlined the budget timeline: the district will distribute a digital budget book by April 30, present personnel and nonpersonnel expense items at the May 6 meeting (proposed final adoption), and bring a final budget to the board in June for adoption and submission to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The board also heard about several operations items tied to cost control: a recommended three-year extension of the Direct Energy contract to lock rates amid market volatility, renewal of the Arbiter officials-assignment subscription, and authorization to accept bids for network switches and wireless access points with anticipated E-rate reimbursements. Two small donations were noted: $400 in luncheon supplies and a $100 gift designated to clear five delinquent student meal accounts.

Next steps: the board will receive the full budget book and hear staff's expense recommendations in May before voting on the proposed final budget.