William Penn School District will run out of money to operate its schools by the end of January, said Superintendent Eric Becoats at a Monday night school board meeting.
William Penn covers Aldan, Colwyn, Darby, East Lansdowne, Lansdowne, and Yeadon Boroughs, with about 4,500 students in 11 schools.
The district depends on Pennsylvania for 55 percent of its operating budget, half of its $119 million budget, writes Kristen A. Graham for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The lack of a state budget is disrupting schools, counties, and other organizations relying on state funding.
It’s more acute in William Penn, where the tax base cannot sufficiently fund student needs.
It has already taken out a $9.9 million loan to keep the schools running and has cut spending on staffing, transportation, and programs.
School Board President Monique Boykins described “hard times” ahead, since they are obligated to keep the schools open, even without funding.
She suggested the district look at alternative solutions, like appealing to athletes and famous people for help.
“Whatever we need to do, we have to be able to keep our district open, and we’re at that point,” Boykins said. “
Read more about William Penn’s funding crisis in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
