Budget shows small improvement but district warns of uncertainty as ESSER funds end

Administrators reported a modest improvement in the Bermudian Springs School District’s short-term fund balance but cautioned that that position depends on one-time ESSER and grant funding that will sunset.

The business manager said that current estimates add about $2,587 to the district fund balance and described revenue and expenditures for the month, including a $31,000 transfer to the cafeteria fund. “These numbers are good news for us right now, but they are not a guarantee until we get through the year,” Justin said, urging caution about move-ins, enrollment changes and unpredictable costs.

Board members spent substantial time on programs started with ESSER dollars: literacy and summer camps, credit-recovery and K Camp, plus transportation for those programs. Administration summarized the combined cost of four ESSER‑initiated programs at roughly $4.73 million (including benefits) and noted recurring costs such as hotspot service, currently shown at about $18,200 per year. Officials said they would return with participation and effectiveness data so the board can evaluate continuing programs once ESSER funding ends.

Administration also described recent grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD): a $35,000 safety allocation and roughly $123,000 for mental-health services, and said it has applied for a competitive grant that would fund a sworn school officer salary for two years. The presenter said the PCCD awards would cover implementation costs for a proposed Raptor visitor/ emergency-management system, which the district is considering to replace two separate platforms.

Board members questioned program scope and cost controls, including potential hidden renovation expenses tied to an esports room refresh and the need to prioritize high-ticket capital items (auditorium stage refinishing, a MacBook charging cart). “If this is something you want changed, tell us early so we can incorporate it into the budget,” Justin told the board, noting May is the preliminary‑budget vote and June the final vote.

The administration recommended that April 2 be a remote (FID) makeup day based on strong survey support: 78.3% of respondents backed FID for makeup days and 71.2% were “very pleased” with the remote day experience. The board did not take a final vote on program continuations at caucus; administrators committed to returning with detailed cost, usage and outcome data at the April meeting.

What’s next: The board will receive follow-up information in April on ESSER‑funded program participation and hotspot usage, a scoped proposal and cost estimates for esports and auditorium work, and recommendations about which recurring services should be funded from general revenue once ESSER grants end.