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Saint Marys Area SD board approves 2026–27 budget, tax levies and a string of contracts
Summary
The Saint Marys Area School District board approved its 2026–27 general fund budget, authorized tax levies and millage rates, and approved multiple contracts and MOUs covering curriculum, facilities and student services. The vote on the budget was taken by roll call and carried.
The Saint Marys Area School District board approved its 2026–27 general fund budget and a package of related financial and contract items at its May 11 meeting, the board chair said.
Board members approved tax and levy measures and a slate of expenditures and contracts included in the agenda. The transcript lists several millage rates and levies presented with the budget; among them were a 47.87 mill rate on real estate and other millages and local per-capita assessments as listed in the agenda documents. A roll call vote on the budget showeda majority of board members voting yes and the motion carried.
The board also approved routine finance items and fund actions: payment of bills for April 2026 across general, food service and payroll funds; approval of retirement and technology reserve fund budgets; approval of the capital reserve fund for 2026–27; and a commitment to maintain the district’s unassigned general fund balance between 6% and 8% of budgeted expenditures, with excess funds allocated to a retirement reserve, a $250,000 technology reserve and any payment due to the Norbert Health Insurance Consortium for a 2025–26 deficit.
On procurement and contracts, members approved using state-approved cooperative purchasing or other appropriate procurement methods for district consumables, instructional supplies and equipment for 2026–27. The board awarded a district-wide door replacement contract to Glass Erectors Inc. for $144,904, with $134,759 of that sum to be funded by a PCCD grant, and approved the lowest qualifying bid from Sabas for the kindergarten through eighth-grade ELA curriculum.
The board approved partnering with an industrial appraisal company to fulfill GASB 34 fixed-asset and insured appraisal requirements after the prior vendor discontinued services. The board discussed vendor availability in rural areas and said the contract value fell below the formal RFP threshold.
The board approved several program and partnership agreements, including participation in the Guidance Center’s Project Report Certification program; a partial hospitalization program agreement and a related lunch agreement with Dickinson Center Inc. to provide support for students attending the program; and an emergency relocation and shelter memorandum of understanding with Christ Funeral Home, Foxtownship Volunteer Fire Department, Sacred Heart Parish Center and El Catholic School System effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029.
The board also approved renewal of an MOU with the Pennsylvania State Police and the City of Saint Mary’s Police Department, multiple dual-enrollment agreements for the 2026–27 school year with Saint Francis University, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Mount Aloysius College and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, and the D9 North basketball assigner contract to arrange officiating for regular-season contests for upcoming school years.
The agenda included numerous personnel recommendations (items 14a–14o); the board approved the personnel actions with employment contingent on completion of preemployment requirements and receipt of Act 151 clearances.
The board adjourned after handling these items. The board packet and published minutes contain the formal budget numbers, millage resolutions and contract documents; the transcript contains some unclear numeric text for the budget total, so the official board documents should be consulted for precise dollar amounts and levy language.
