Shaler Area School Board of Directors approved the 2020-21 school year proposed final budget during a Special Voting Meeting on May 12. The $92,964,983 proposed budget continues the district’s commitment to supporting students’ academic achievement and wellbeing and improving the safety and security of the district’s facilities with no millage increase.
The 2021-22 budget includes revenues of $87,079,500. Shaler Area will close the budgetary gap using $5.9 million of its fund balance and continual analysis of the budget throughout the year for cost-savings measures. The 2021-22 millage rate will remain at 23.5319 mills.
The 2021-22 budget includes an overall increase of approximately 3.26 percent over the 2020-21 budget.
The proposed final budget continues Shaler Area’s commitment to quality educational programing through supporting several projects and initiatives. The cost of these projects will be offset by stimulus money received through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund over the span of five years. The focus of these resources will include:
- Addressing special education learning loss;
- Hiring an additional social worker and behavior specialist;
- Offering Extended School Year programming;
- Continuation and expansion of the Project ACE 1:1 iPad initiative;
- Professional development;
- Installation of projectors in classrooms;
- Enhancing HVAC systems and air quality throughout the district;
- Purchasing necessary personal protective equipment;
- Continuing mitigation efforts against COVID-19.
Shaler Area continues its commitment to the safety, security and maintenance of its facilities and designated funds for the following projects:
- Repaving Marzolf Primary School’s parking lots;
- Upgrading the fire alarm system at Burchfield Primary;
- Replacing the stage at Shaler Area High School;
- Resurfacing the tennis court at Shaler Area High School;
- Installing floor tile in various locations throughout the district.
While the budget features several line item decreases, the largest portion of the budget — 92 percent — is fixed and contractual costs related to compensation, transportation, charter school and outside placement tuition, and debt service.
While local revenues are recovering and have increased over the previous fiscal year, the revenue growth does not fully cover the district’s expenditures. However, Shaler Area understands the financial hardship experienced by many in the previous year, therefore the district is committed to not raising taxes and will flat-fund expenditures that are not contractual or reduce costs where possible without affecting the quality of education or health and safety of district facilities.
The budget will be made available for public inspection on the
Business Office webpage (on the right-hand side of the page) no later than 20 days before the final budget approval. Final approval of the 2021-22 budget is scheduled for the June 16 School Board Voting Meeting, which will begin at 7:15 p.m. via a hybrid meeting platform. Information regarding the specifics of the platform will be posted to the district website on Monday, June 14.