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Despite the fact that Pennsylvania doesn’t yet have a state budget for 2015-2016, the Pennsbury School District expects to avoid serious cash flow issues.
As of last Thursday, Pennsbury has received $22 million of the $43 million in state funding expected in the 2015-2016 budget. Business Manager Dan Rogers said the district is expected to receive another $11 million from the state in the coming months.
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If the remaining money doesn’t come through to match the $43 million allocated from the state by June 30, Rogers said he was “very confident” the district would not have to take “drastic measures” to continue to operate. June 30 is the last day of the 2015-2016 financial year for Pennsylvania school districts.
Rogers said that the district could likely make it through December 31 due to real estate tax collections that will be received in summer.
A temporary measure signed by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf several months back allows Pennsylvania to send funding for special education, transportation and a number other budget items to districts.
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In planning for the ongoing state budget impasse, Rogers’ office has drawn up projections on how much the district is expected to spend on payroll, healthcare, debt service and supplies.
Debra Wachspress, vice president of the school board, called out state lawmakers for letting the impasse continue. She called the impasse “awful, pathetic and irresponsible.”
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Resident Robert Abrams of Lower Makefield raised concerns about the district’s budget outlook during the meeting. He questioned how the district can look at adding expenses when expected state fund is not coming through.
Wachspress urged residents to call lawmakers to voice their opinion about the budget impasse.
