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William Penn SD reviews budget scenarios, vows to protect key school positions while staff models cuts
Summary
District leaders reviewed projected deficits under multiple tax-rate options and said administrators will model cuts to balance the budget while seeking to preserve roles such as an academic interventionist and a dedicated elementary instructional facilitator.
Board members and district staff discussed the William Penn School District’s operating-budget outlook and contingency planning during a remote meeting.
Administrators presented several property tax-rate scenarios and the operating results tied to each. "At 2.9…we are at 800 and 804,000 in the deficit," a presenter said, and reported narrower shortfalls at higher rates — including a $238,000 deficit at 3.99%. Staff said the administrative team will review the proposed budget and recommend where to make cuts once the board selects a target tax rate.
The meeting included an explicit pledge to limit harm to classroom services if the board chooses a lower tax increase. "This administration will not, in order to resolve some of these variances, if the board decides to move forward with a lower tax increase, we are not going to impact schools," a board member said, adding that the cabinet is committed to reestablishing 2024–25 resources for positions such as an academic interventionist and a full-time instructional facilitator dedicated to one elementary school.
Board members pressed staff on timing and cash-flow contingencies. Mr. Tag asked when the state budget process might settle; presenters said clearer movement is expected in early July (the first two weeks) and that earlier resolution is hoped because it is an election year. The possibility of a short-term tax revenue anticipation note (TRAN) was discussed as a contingency: finance staff said a TRAN had been put in as a precaution and that a cash forecast meeting with PFM is scheduled. "I think the worst case is five or six million, not not 10," one finance staff member said when comparing a potential TRAN to the nearly $10.995 million drawn last year.
The board also asked where a previously approved CCIU contract appears in the budget. A director asked about a roughly $904,000 first‑year cost for a CCIU special-administrator and three supervisors; staff replied that the expense is recorded in the 300s and that the contract — which extends through 2028 — includes a capacity-building provision meant to allow the district to transition those roles in-house over time if qualified candidates emerge.
No formal votes or motions were recorded in the transcript. The meeting closed with a reminder that the next meeting is scheduled for June 25th.
