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Greater Johnstown board approves proposed 2026-27 budget, holds millage steady at 48.62 mills
Summary
The Greater Johnstown School District board approved a Proposed Final General Operations Budget for 2026-27 with $72,747,714 in revenues and no millage rate increase (48.62 mills). The plan relies on a $1.83 million use of fund balance and includes health-insurance broker engagement and a settlement with Norfolk Southern.
The Greater Johnstown Board of School Directors on May 5 approved the Proposed Final General Operations Budget for fiscal 2026-27, setting the millage rate at 48.62 mills with no increase from the current rate.
Les Paul Buchko presented the budget figures to the board, saying the proposal lists revenues of $72,747,714, estimated expenditures of $74,577,750 and a planned use of fund balance of $1,830,035. The board voted to approve the Proposed Final Budget (motion BF-66-26), and the motion passed with all ayes.
Why it matters: The measure funds district operations for the coming school year. During public comment John DeBartola questioned how the budget rose from prior public figures to the current $72 million total; Board President Eugene Pentz attributed the increase to higher state pension costs, $10 million in cyber-school expenditures and rising health-care costs.
The board also approved related finance items: General Fund bills for March 2026 totaling $388,252.01; multiple budget adjustments for newly awarded grants; and a Resolution calling for increased state funding for basic and special education and school infrastructure (BF-54-26, BF-55-26, BF-58-26).
On health benefits, the board rescinded a prior consortium motion and engaged broker NFP (an Aon company) to manage the district’s health plans under a self-funded arrangement beginning July 1, 2026, with Highmark network and US Fire as stop-loss carrier (BF-61-26; BF-62-26). The board also approved Group Life and AD&D coverage rates with NIS/Madison National Life (BF-57-26).
The board approved a stipulation for settlement relating to PURTA-exempt property tax matters with Pennsylvania Lines, LLC (Norfolk Southern Railway Company), Docket No. 2025-4732 (BF-67-26).
Next steps: The budget will proceed through required public display and advertising as the board moves toward final adoption later in the budget cycle.
