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PGCPS outlines student‑based budgeting for FY27; per‑pupil foundation set at $9,496
Summary
Director Siobhan Smith and Chief How briefed the committee on student‑based budgeting (SBB) milestones, the FY27 per‑pupil foundation amount of $9,496, how restricted grants are being maximized, and use of $25 million in fund balance to cover FY27 costs.
Chief How, the district chief financial officer, and Director Siobhan Smith presented the district's student‑based budgeting (SBB) update, explaining the allocation formula, timeline for the Apex tool and steps to integrate restricted grants and local school contracts into the budget process.
Smith said the FY27 standard per‑pupil foundation amount used in initial allocations is $9,496 per eligible student. She described weighting factors (compensatory education, multilingual learners, special education, concentration of poverty, pre‑K and college/career readiness) and program aid such as transportation. The district intends to maximize restricted funding sources—including concentration of poverty and College and Career Readiness—so those funds can cover specified services and reduce pressure on unrestricted allocations.
Smith outlined deduction categories that reduce blueprint revenue to produce school allocations: school‑based locked positions (e.g., principals, custodial staff), centrally managed locked resources (security, nurses, transportation), central office supports (finance, human resources) and a subsidy for schools whose per‑pupil revenue does not meet operating needs. She said the district retains substantially less than the statutory 25% cap for central office support—approximately 11–12%—as part of efforts to direct revenue to schools.
The budget office has provided a workbook (Google Sheets) for principals to simulate budgets and will transition to the Apex tool when ready. Smith said principals must itemize contracts and vendor details in the workbook to enable central negotiation and potential cost savings. The district plans training clinics after the tool goes live and expects charter allocations to be released no later than March 20.
In Q&A, Chief How and Smith said $25 million of fund balance is included in FY27 planning to help cover recurring costs, and clarified that many entitlement grants (Title II, III, IV) are centrally managed while Title I and community school funds flow to school‑level budgeting. Board members raised equity and community engagement concerns; staff said principals are required to solicit community and staff input as part of the SBB process and area offices monitor those requirements.
Board members asked staff to provide continued updates on charter allocations, the Apex tool rollout, and community engagement outcomes.
