Multi-Million Dollar Budget Gap Remains for School District

The Bristol Township School District has to have a final budget approved by the end of this month.

The cash-strapped district’s current proposed budget falls short by a figure “just under $5 million,” Superintendent Dr. Samuel Lee said late Tuesday afternoon.

To help cut costs, Lee said the district is planning to scale back on plans to bring e-reader textbooks to some classes, enhance wireless internet connections at Truman and several other technical upgrades.

“We’re going to keep looking for efficiencies,” Lee said.

Lee said there are no layoffs planned at this time.

“Any further staff cuts would hurt our programs and the opportunities for our kids,” Lee said.

The district has laid off a large amount of teaching staff over the past few budget hikes.

Bristol Township and nearly every other district in the area has been hit hard by increasing state teacher pensions, special education costs and dwindling revenues.

At Thursday’s meeting, the board will vote as to whether a tax hike will be needed to help fill the budget gap.

Residents at board meetings have previously asked the district keep taxes down, citing that the bad economy and already high tax millage rate compared to the rest of the county.

Officials also have the option to pull money from the district’s reserve funds to cover the gap, a move the Neshaminy School District did last week with its new budget.

District officials have been meeting all week to go over budget issues and held a public meeting Tuesday. The budget is expected to be voted on Thursday during a board meeting.