Clarification/Correction on State Increase in Basic Subsidy Funding vis-à-vis Council Rock Budget

A week ago I posted about a concern with the Council Rock budget not receiving as much money in the State’s Basic Instructional Subsidy as had been projected, meaning a hit to the School District’s budget for 2009-10. The reason for that post was that Council Rock’s budget had shown an increase of 3.5% from 2008-09, whereas the State ended up providing just a 2% increase. The difference of about $200,000 was a shortfall that would hit programs or use more local taxpayer money, I thought.

I mentioned this at the last School Board meeting, and followed up afterward asking for clarification. I was advised by the District’s Business Administrator that subsequent to the passage of the 2008-09 budget, the State had added another 1.5% to last year’s Basic Subsidy. So the actual figure received last year was higher than what that budget had originally shown. Since this year’s budget document just showed a comparison to last year’s budgeted amounts, it appeared the figure for 2009-10 was an increase of 3.5%, but it was really 2% higher than the actual final subsidy for last year.

This Council Rock will be receiving the figure it projected at the beginning of the budget cycle, and there is not shortfall in this area.

I suggested to the Administration that a clearer picture for the public might be to show actual figures from the prior year as well as original budget figures, so that increases in actual expenditures or revenues can be seen easily.