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Haverford Township board reviews proposed 2026–27 budget and warns fund balance may fall below policy target
Summary
Board members discussed the proposed final 2026–27 budget, modest state subsidy increases, a half‑time custodial hire, and long‑term planning with financial consultants after staff said the district’s unassigned fund balance is likely to drop below the 5% policy target.
The Haverford Township School District board reviewed updates to the proposed final 2026–27 budget at its April 9 work session and discussed risks that could leave the district’s unassigned fund balance below the board’s 5% policy minimum.
Mr. Testa, presenting the budget update, said state basic education funding is expected to rise by roughly $71,000 and the special‑education subsidy by about $32,000. Staff shifted some line items and added a 0.5 full‑time equivalent custodial position at Chatham Park to support expanded space there, while keeping the overall bottom line unchanged compared with the prior presentation.
Board members pressed for details on sensitivity to energy prices and revenue drivers. Testa said the district’s electricity and fuel costs for 2026–27 are partly protected through a multi‑year Provident Energy contract arranged by the Delaware County Intermediate Unit, and that an increase in projected local revenues — including a modest uptick in the tax collection percentage (from 96.5% to 97.15%) and anticipated transfer/delinquent tax receipts — explains part of a roughly $5.1 million local revenue increase shown in the projection.
Trustees were warned that the district presently projects the unassigned fund balance will fall below the 5% level the board targets. “We are falling below where we’d like to be as it stands now,” Testa said, noting long‑term financial planning work with consultants from PFM to align expenditures and revenues and identify mitigations.
The board approved a package of routine finance motions earlier in the meeting, including the bill list ($987,782.15) and change orders ($46,456.62). The board also adopted the Delaware County Intermediate Unit’s 2026–27 operating budget (total $12,126,395; Haverford share $110,546.57) and the Delaware County Vocational‑Technical Schools budget (total $19,551,888; Haverford share $918,358) by roll call vote.
Next steps: staff said they expect to return with additional budget materials and that the district could present the final budget for board action at the next business meeting, depending on PDE timing. Consulting work with PFM will continue and staff committed to report back with their recommendations.
