Superintendent warns of budget squeeze; district may borrow as state budget remains unsettled

Superintendent Dr. Daniel McGary told the board that state and federal budget uncertainty poses an immediate fiscal risk to the district and described contingency planning the administration has been discussing.

“I just want the whole public to know that we take that into consideration… If we were to go into winter break without a budget from the state, we need about $25 million a month to operate the district,” McGary said. He and CFO Craig Rogers told the board they have been discussing potential borrowing and that an upcoming committee meeting will address what borrowing would look like and its implications.

Separately, Mr. Fields reported the Finance and Operations Committee recommended forming an information‑gathering subcommittee to explore potential plans for the district’s newly acquired Delaware County Memorial Hospital property. The committee’s role, as described at the meeting, is to include district and public members to study options and gather information before any policy decision is recommended to the full board.

Board members were clear that absent a state budget the district is reviewing operating scenarios and contingencies; McGary urged continued engagement with families and staff while administrators refine options. No formal borrowing action or binding financial authorization was approved at this meeting—board members said a future committee meeting will present specifics and possible recommendations.

The board also heard routine finance and budget reports and adopted those reports by voice vote. The meeting packet and committee summaries were posted to the district’s board docs for members and the public.