Perkiomen Valley board approves preliminary 2024–25 budget, sets 2.75% tax increase
May 06, 2024 | Perkiomen Valley SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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The Perkiomen Valley School District board voted to approve a preliminary budget for the 2024–25 school year that raises the district millage rate by 2.75%, moving from 36.38 to 37.38 mills.
Board member [unnamed board member speaking the motion] moved the measure, which received a second and passed by voice vote. Administration said the preliminary plan must be posted for 30 days before the board takes a final vote on June 10.
Chief business officials told the board the proposal relies in part on reserves and fund balance; the presentation noted $1,551,000 of existing reserves have been used in the projection, an amount described as about 1.17% of estimated expenditures. Administration also outlined expenditure adjustments: converting a one‑year special‑education software purchase to a five‑year payment plan to reduce the immediate budget hit; recognizing transportation costs for summer programs (an additional roughly $85,000) now that ESSER funding used previously is no longer available; and a debt‑service adjustment tied to successful refunding activity.
During discussion, board members questioned revenue assumptions tied to state aid and one large state‑funding line discussed in the presentation. Administration said the district did not include certain governor‑proposed increases in the projection and noted some state reimbursements (for debt service and treatment‑center funding) are significant drivers of the district’s revenue picture.
Administrators recommended holding one elementary staffing position through the summer in case enrollments rise with the full‑day kindergarten rollout, while issuing another position through attrition to help balance the budget. The superintendent said a proposed early‑learning coach position would be a reallocation of existing staff rather than a new budget addition.
The board approved the preliminary budget as presented; the tax-rate change is expected to add nearly $180 annually to the tax bill for a home assessed at $180,000, according to the district’s example. Final adoption will occur after the required 30‑day display period and a subsequent public vote.
Board member [unnamed board member speaking the motion] moved the measure, which received a second and passed by voice vote. Administration said the preliminary plan must be posted for 30 days before the board takes a final vote on June 10.
Chief business officials told the board the proposal relies in part on reserves and fund balance; the presentation noted $1,551,000 of existing reserves have been used in the projection, an amount described as about 1.17% of estimated expenditures. Administration also outlined expenditure adjustments: converting a one‑year special‑education software purchase to a five‑year payment plan to reduce the immediate budget hit; recognizing transportation costs for summer programs (an additional roughly $85,000) now that ESSER funding used previously is no longer available; and a debt‑service adjustment tied to successful refunding activity.
During discussion, board members questioned revenue assumptions tied to state aid and one large state‑funding line discussed in the presentation. Administration said the district did not include certain governor‑proposed increases in the projection and noted some state reimbursements (for debt service and treatment‑center funding) are significant drivers of the district’s revenue picture.
Administrators recommended holding one elementary staffing position through the summer in case enrollments rise with the full‑day kindergarten rollout, while issuing another position through attrition to help balance the budget. The superintendent said a proposed early‑learning coach position would be a reallocation of existing staff rather than a new budget addition.
The board approved the preliminary budget as presented; the tax-rate change is expected to add nearly $180 annually to the tax bill for a home assessed at $180,000, according to the district’s example. Final adoption will occur after the required 30‑day display period and a subsequent public vote.
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