SCASD FY26 revenue runs $4.175M over budget; $22M reserve transfer proposed for Oct. 21 approval
The State College Area School District's unaudited 2025-2026 financial results show total revenue $4.175 million, or 2%, above budget, according to agenda materials for the Board of School Directors meeting on October 5. The agenda described most items that night as discussion and information only, and the records supplied do not include minutes or vote tallies. Proposed year-end transfers — $22 million to the Capital Reserve Fund and $4 million to the Capital Project Fund — are listed for approval at the board's October 21 regular meeting.
District finances: revenue above budget, $22M transfer proposed
The FY26 revenue figure was driven by $2.3 million more investment income and $1.7 million more real estate transfer tax than budgeted, according to the agenda summary. The proposed $22 million transfer to the Capital Reserve Fund is designated for Park Forest Middle School debt service and future capital projects; the separate $4 million would go to the Capital Project Fund.
The agenda also listed a draft unassigned General Fund balance of $18,394,340, equal to 7.89% of expenditures and under the 8% cap, along with a proposed $100,000 commitment for IT equipment. The transfers and balance commitments are scheduled for board action on October 21.
Bond sale, audit and assessment reports
The October 5 agenda included 2026 General Obligation Bond sale results for the Mount Nittany Elementary and Park Forest Middle School projects (Series A) and for high school referendum debt refunding (Series B). A bullying prevention audit by Dr. Susan Swearer and MAP and Acadience assessment reports were listed for information, with no board action requested. Recommendations on religious observances in the academic calendar were also on the agenda.
Committee meetings: finance, technology, facilities
The Citizens Advisory Committee Finance met October 7 with an agenda of discussion items all marked as information: 2025-2026 financial results, 2026 bond sale results, the Mount Nittany Elementary opening, the Park Forest Middle School project, and projects outside the capital plan. The agenda set public comment at three minutes per speaker.
The Citizens Advisory Committee Technology met October 13 and reviewed an ADA web accessibility deadline of April 2027, an evaluation of MyPowerHub as an alternative to ParentSquare, a MyPowerHub Fees module for Device Protection, monitoring of "GoogleBook" student devices, and plans for a Digital Literacy committee meeting in November.
The Citizens Advisory Committee Facilities met October 15 to discuss Mount Nittany Elementary Expansion punchlist items and lessons learned, Park Forest Middle School land development, easements and developers agreement, zoning and building permit status, and challenges regarding lighting controls, HVAC and staffing.
Coming up
The Policy Development Committee meets October 20 to discuss revisions to Policy 116 Tutoring, Policy 118 Independent Study (replacing a 2002 policy with the PSBA guide), Policy 127 Assessment System, Policy 130 Homework, and Policy 246 School Wellness, a new policy to replace Policy 141 covering nutrition and social media literacy.
The Board of School Directors meets October 21. Agenda items include purchase of middle and high school wrestling uniforms not to exceed $10,758.50; an Aveanna Healthcare staffing amendment adding Home Health Aide services at $35.00 per hour; an MOU with American College of Education for Masters student teacher field experiences; approval of the Easterly Parkway Domestic Hot Water Replacement bid; and change orders for the Mount Nittany Elementary addition and North Building Natatorium upgrades. The FY26 fund transfers described above are also listed for approval at that meeting.