Superintendent Gary Weber says the district will have to borrow if the impasse in Harrisburg continues.

As the Pennsylvania budget remains at a stalemate, how is Warren County School District impacted by the impasse?

At the moment, Superintendent Gary Weber believes the district is in good shape. “I would say that we are in a better position than most right now,” he said. “If we go past this week (end of September) without a budget, we are most likely looking at having to move some of our investments into the general fund to pay bills. This will not last long and at some point, will force us to have to borrow. We are only approving necessary expenditures at this point and after this week that will have to tighten up even more.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed his budget to the legislature in early February but over two months past its deadline, some public institutions are beginning to falter.

Financial pressures continue to build on public schools as the impasse freezes billions in state funding for school districts.

Pennsylvania State Education Association President Aaron Chapin said, “Without a budget agreement, more public schools are going to have to make tough decisions, like delaying building projects, shutting down education programs, and taking out costly loans.”

Chapin also noted that the typical school district in Pennsylvania keeps enough money in reserve to afford 87 days of expenditures. That day has passed, he said.

Already, the impasse has driven the School District of Lancaster to approve a $35 million loan, the River Valley School District in Indiana County to approve a $5 million loan, and the Uniontown Area School District to consider a $5 million loan.

“The more public schools that have to take out loans, the more taxpayers pay,” Chapin said. “The Lancaster loan, for instance, will cost an extra $200,000 in taxpayer funds for just fees and interest — money that could have gone toward more teachers, paraprofessionals, and services for students with special needs.”