Technical school budget in limbo

Neshaminy could end up paying $500,000 more in annual costs due to special education costs while Bristol Township could save that much.More Philadelphia Suburbs news

Bucks County Technical High School's proposed 2008-2009 budget is in a holding pattern because the schools boards in two of its sending districts have postponed a vote on the financial plan.

The Bensalem and Morrisville school boards agreed Wednesday night to postpone their respective votes until they receive more information about the comprehensive technical high school's funding formula.

The postponements leave the BCTHS budget just shy of the votes needed for approval. The school's bylaws call for four of the six sending districts and at least 28 board members to approve the budget.

The Bristol, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school boards have approved the budget. A total of 26 board members have voted in favor of it, officials said.

The Bensalem and Morrisville postponements come two days after the Bristol Township school board rejected the proposed budget to protest a lack of movement on suggested revisions to the tech school's funding formula.

Right now, the six sending districts share the costs incurred to educate special education students. But a movement has been under way for several months to pay the special education costs, often higher than mainstream expenses, on an actual usage basis.

The revised formula could save Bristol Township as much as $500,000 per year in expenses, officials said.

Neshaminy, the district that could end up having to pay as much as $500,000 more in annual costs because a large number of its special education students attend BCTHS, has opposed the revised formula.

Board members Frank Koziol, William Spitz and Ritchie Webb again voiced opposition to the revisions Wednesday night before Neshaminy voted unanimously to approve the tech school's budget.

The tech school budget needs to be approved by June 30, BCTHS Administrative Director Scott Parks said. The Bensalem and Morrisville boards are not scheduled to meet again until May.

Staff writers Rachel Canelli and Manasee Wagh contributed to this story. Joan Hellyer can be reached at 215-949-4048 or .

District shares of proposed 2008-09 BCTHS budget

Bensalem $2,998,665

Bristol $691,360

Bristol Township $5,646,491

Morrisville $607,612

Neshaminy $4,048,804

Pennsbury $3,950,799

Source: Bucks County Technical High School

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