Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Shikellamy SD work session lays out 2026–27 budget outlook, cites $2.3M cyber-charter spend and proposed TOE savings
Summary
Business Manager Brian Manning presented the district’s 2026–27 budget framework March 5, citing 186 students enrolled in outside cyber charters (projected spend $2,324,367.01), a projected $1.6M rise in assessed value and a governor-proposed $2.28M increase in state aid; a possible Transfer of Entity from the CSIU could save about $248,833 but will be considered at the March 12 voting meeting.
Business Manager Brian Manning presented the Shikellamy School District’s preliminary 2026–27 budget framework at a March 5 work session, highlighting enrollment in outside cyber-charter programs, local tax trends, state funding proposals and planned capital projects.
Manning said outside cyber-charter enrollment stood at 186 students for the 2025–26 school year as of March 2, 2026, a decrease of two students from the prior year, and that the district projects the same enrollment level for 2026–27. He estimated projected spending for 2025–26 on cyber charters at $2,324,367.01, a projected decrease of $293,022.70 from the prior year.
Manning reported a preliminary 2026 assessed-value increase of $1,608,910 compared with 2025 and recommended no tax increase for 2026–27, keeping the millage at 96.5 mills. He also noted that occupation taxes were eliminated July 1, 2024 and replaced by Earned Income Tax (EIT), which showed an increase of $674,220 for July 2025–February 2026 versus the same period the prior year.
On state funding, Manning summarized the Governor’s 2026–27 proposal as a combined $2,284,128.35 increase for the district, including $99,774 in Basic Education Funding, $140,088 in Special Education Funding and $1,749,452.35 in Adequacy Supplement funds. He said federal Titles I–IV were budgeted at 2025–26 levels but flagged potential future reductions as a budget risk.
Planned capital work for Summer 2026 includes parking-lot and flooring replacements at Oaklyn, Priestley and Chief buildings, and cafeteria flooring and siding repairs at the middle school. Manning said the district has replaced eight vehicles over recent years and currently has no immediate vehicle needs.
The preliminary staffing plan adds an Autistic Support Teacher and a full-time Emotional Support Teacher at the Chief building. Manning discussed a possible Transfer of Entity (TOE) from the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) for autistic support classes at Chief and the middle school, which he estimated would produce net savings of $248,832.98. Dr. Stephanie Michaels, director of special education, told the board that the potential financial savings should be weighed against any impacts on students; the TOE is scheduled for discussion at the March 12 voting meeting and the district must notify the CSIU by March 31, 2026 if it intends to proceed.
Administrators also reported a funding gap for K–2 after-school programming: no funding was identified for Summer 2026 or for the 2026–27 school year, and the district will pursue grants and foundation support.
Board members were reminded of the budget timeline: board action to adopt the proposed final budget is scheduled for May 14, 2026, with final adoption set for June 16, 2026. The work session adjourned at 9:51 p.m.
