Neshaminy board approves proposed final budget distribution, creates internal service fund and approves multiple personnel and fund transfers

The Neshaminy School Board voted unanimously at its May 7 work session to adopt a proposed final budget for public inspection and to approve a slate of financial and personnel items that the board said prepare the district for the 2024–25 year.

Board member Mrs. Hollenbeck moved a resolution citing 24 PS §6‑687 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code requiring a proposed final budget be prepared and made available for public inspection; the motion was seconded and passed 9–0. The transcript’s budget line items were difficult to read in places; the board recorded a millage rate of 181.675 in the presentation. Officials said the proposal will be available for public inspection beginning May 7, 2024, and that the board will adopt the final 2024–25 budget at the public meeting on June 18, 2024.

In related financial actions, the board:

• Approved creation of an internal service fund (Fund 60) to separate self-insured medical costs from the general fund (motion by Mrs. Marshall; passed 9–0). The board authorized the business administrator to establish the new fund for better tracking of medical self-insurance expenses.

• Approved a fund-balance transfer of $6,049,060 from committed fund balance to Fund 60 (motion by Ms. Lafferty; passed 9–0). The board said the transfer will be effective June 30, 2024, and designated the money to cover the district’s 2024–25 self-insurance medical budget.

• Approved a transfer of $2,807,691 from committed fund balance and $10,000,000 from unassigned general fund balance to Fund 32 for future capital projects (motion by Mr. Allen; passed 9–0). Board members and staff discussed keeping appropriate reserves and the practice of allocating capital dollars into a separate fund.

A district finance staff member explained the rationale for an internal service fund, including that stop‑loss insurance would limit exposure above a per‑individual threshold (the transcript cites $300,000 as the stop‑loss trigger) and that districts commonly maintain several months of reserves in such an account.

On personnel and administrative matters the board approved:

• A revised Appendix A to the Act 93 agreement governing cabinet administration, effective May 7, 2024 (passed 9–0).

• The appointment of Dr. Catherine Hinshaw as director of secondary education, effective July 1, 2024 (motion by Mr. Rodriguez; passed 9–0). Board members congratulated Dr. Hinshaw, who was unable to attend.

• A list of retirements and resignations, including Diane Klimick (28 years of service noted), and multiple support‑staff appointments and replacements; board members recognized outgoing staff and welcomed new hires (all motions passed 9–0).

The chair listed agenda items slated for the upcoming public board meeting, including routine business, annual appointments, summer work projects, contracts (including a food services contract), and the Bucks County Technical High School budget and related special education contracted services.

The board’s action package reflects the routine, unanimous approvals common at work sessions where recommendations are presented for later final adoption. The board’s next public meeting to adopt the final budget is scheduled for June 18, 2024.