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Board member warns Upper Perkiomen faces $8.68 million projected deficit; calls for full-board financial briefing
Summary
During board comments a director warned the district faces a projected $8.68 million deficit for 2026–27, urged a full-board presentation of committed/assigned/unassigned fund balances and a formal plan for minimum reserves and multi-year budgeting.
A board member warned that the Upper Perkiomen School District is projecting an $8.68 million deficit for the 2026–27 school year and urged the full board to review the district’s complete financial picture before budget decisions are finalized.
The speaker said projected expenditures are $88.7 million against revenues of $80.3 million and noted that the district’s general fund balance totals $13.4 million, of which only $2.6 million is unassigned and freely available for operations; the district’s capital reserve was cited at $8.4 million. The board member said the district “cannot tax our way out of it” and added, “hope’s not a financial plan.”
The board member asked that business administrator Drew present a complete financial briefing at the next workshop meeting, including a clear breakdown of committed, assigned and unassigned funds and realistic projections for revenues and expenditures. The speaker also recommended the board set a formal minimum floor for unassigned fund balance and identify specific actions to protect it.
Other board members responded with questions and context: several noted that drawing on reserves in prior years, including a $4.73 million withdrawal in 2021, reduced the district’s financial cushion. Directors discussed ongoing facilities projects — roof repairs and roof grant timing — and emphasized the need for a multi-year capital improvement plan linked to a July 2023 KCSBA facilities study.
Board members also referenced recent state-level developments on school funding, saying the Commonwealth Court issued a 2023 ruling on the constitutionality of Pennsylvania’s funding system and that House Bill 2370 remains stalled in the Senate. One director suggested coordinated lobbying with Montgomery County districts and community outreach to press legislators for implementation of funding reforms.
The board did not adopt any immediate spending reductions or specific budget motions during the meeting; members instructed staff to supply more complete, board-wide financial information at an upcoming workshop so the full board and the public can better understand options and timing.
