Schools
School Officials Discuss 2011-2012 Budget Timeline, Accept $13,000 Donation From Worrall's PTO
At a Budget & Finance Committee meeting on Aug. 9, school members were notified of an earlier budget deadline for the next school year as well as recognizing a $13,000 donation made for six SMART Boards to Worrall Elementary School.
NEWTOWN SQUARE–In another school board committee meeting that was held on Aug. 9, Joe Driscoll, business administrator, discussed the 2012-2013 school district budget process and the new timeline during a Budget and Finance Committee meeting.
During presidential election years, the Pennsylvania primary is earlier, which means the school district’s preliminary budget for 2012-2013 must be submitted to the state three weeks earlier on Jan. 5, if the district wants to apply for exceptions under Act 1, Driscoll said.
“That is extremely early,” Driscoll said.
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Because the state recently eliminated most of the exceptions through changes to Act 1, Driscoll said he expects that the only exceptions available to the Marple Newtown School District for the next budget year will be special education and retirement exceptions, and new limitations have been placed on those.
This past school year, including debt from the Marple Newtown High School construction project and retirement contribution exceptions.
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In discussing new business, Driscoll also reported some positive financial news.
“We’re ending the year in good shape, better than anticipated,” Driscoll said.
Driscoll said right now it looks like the district will have enough funds to put aside in reserve for capital fund projects.
“The next one is something we love,” school board member Fred Dewey said of the next announcement made to the committee.
The Budget and Finance Committee also recognized a gift which was made to the school district: $13,608 from the l's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) for the purchase of six SMART Boards.
In the spring, Worall's PTO held several fundraisers with the goal of raising money for more SMART Boards. One of the major fundraisers included a among all the grades in the school.
