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Perkiomen Valley faces $5.1M shortfall; board weighs attrition scenarios and tentatively backs middle‑school cheer funding
Summary
Finance staff told the board of a $5.122 million budget shortfall and outlined lease savings and other adjustments; administrators will present staffing/attrition scenarios ahead of May preliminary budget approval. The board also agreed to add a $33,000 middle‑school cheer program request to a future agenda and approved several facilities and procurement items during the meeting.
Perkiomen Valley School District finance staff on April 13 reported a projected $5.122 million shortfall in the draft budget and outlined steps administration is taking to narrow the gap ahead of a May preliminary budget deadline.
"We still have a $5.122 million dollar shortfall as of tonight's presentation," said Mr. Weaver, who presented the Finance Committee update. He said lease renegotiations and other adjustments produced a $150,000 expenditure reduction (a $100,000 reduction noted in the latest pass added to a prior $50,000 reduction), but substantial pressure remains from factors such as rising energy and diesel fuel costs.
Administration said they are preparing concrete staffing scenarios that will show the budgetary effect of attrition, replacements and reallocations so the board can evaluate tradeoffs. "We are preparing that presentation now and continue to have conversations with our administrative team," Mr. Weaver said. Board President Mrs. Lofton asked for multiple scenarios (best‑case, worst‑case) and earlier circulation of the administration’s recommendation so members can review before committee meetings.
On program funding, the board heard a request to add a proposed middle‑school cheer program to a future agenda. Mr. Weaver described initial first‑year costs—about $33,000 total ($20,800 in coaching salaries for four positions and roughly $12,200 in startup supplies, transportation and registration). After discussion the board agreed to add the cheer program to next Monday’s agenda for possible approval.
During the business portion the board approved several facilities and purchasing actions including two LED scoreboards for the high‑school gym (motion passed), asbestos tile removal and air monitoring contracts, replacement chiller pumps and a boiler at elementary schools, and the purchase of a used 2014 Dodge Caravan passenger van after amending the agenda to allow action that evening.
Next steps: administrators will deliver staffing and budget‑scenario proposals before the Education Committee meeting and present recommended changes in time for the board’s May preliminary budget filing and June final budget action.
Why it matters: the size of the shortfall triggers district choices that will affect staffing, programming and fund‑balance use ahead of the legally required budget timeline.
