Gettysburg Area School District’s Board of Directors received a first look at its 2026-27 budget on Monday, and the conversation was not uplifting.
“This is not a good budget situation to be in,” Business Manager Belinda Wallen said.
Wallen said that even if the district raised taxes to the maximum amount allowed by law, 4.2%, it would face a $4.2 million deficit.
She explained that several factors contribute to the challenge, including the need for a special education comprehensive plan, the need to add seven positions previously provided by the Lincoln Intermediate Unit, and increased demand for autism support, life skills instructors, and learning support. The district administration has also requested an additional social worker, a special education supervisor, and additional technology staff.
The board and administration will spend the next several months examining options. What they cannot do, Wallen said, is tap into the unassigned fund balance or district savings account. Policy states the district must have at least 6% of its budget in the account, which is currently $5.1 million. The recently completed audit showed the district has about $4 million in the account, which will keep the district operating for 13 days if a financial emergency occurs.
“The goal is to never use your fund balance as one-time money to balance your budget. The district has been doing that simply because it hasn’t been raising taxes,” Wallen said.
Wallen said everything should be on the table, including not replacing retiring teachers, reassigning staff, not funding the capital reserve account, cutting positions or services, and auditing students’ residencies to ensure they live in the district.
Vice President Al Moyer, an eight-year veteran of the board, urged his colleagues to not rule out a tax increase.
“As much as it is appealing to do a zero tax increase and become a hero of the community for five minutes,” Moyer said. “At some point, you and your district are going to fall off the literal fiscal cliff.”
The board will review the budget again at its March 2 meeting.
