'Status quo' budget okayed for Ephrata schools in coming year

EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District expects to see a largely status quo budget to fund district operations in the upcoming 2026-27 school year.

Like many other school districts around the state, Ephrata is seeing increased costs for materials, supplies, and operations related to inflation and the economy, business/finance director Allison Razey told school board members Casey Devine, Mike Fleurkens, Josh Sainsbury, and Matthew Truscott during their July 27 meeting. 

The overall budget is comprised of five separate funds, the largest of which is the general fund. Within it, revenues of $54 million and expenditures of $55.6 million are forecast in the coming year. Nearly 83% of those revenues come from the state, largely based on enrollment.

The district is estimating 2,718 “fulltime equivalent students” in grades K-12 plus those enrolled in Running Start, Open Doors, and Alternative Learning Experience programs, said Razey.

Revenues include $33.4 million in state apportionment, special education, and levy equalization dollars and another $11.2 in general purpose funds for food service, transportation, learning assistance and bilingual programs, and more. About 72% of those monies pay salaries and benefits for 199 FTE certificated teaching staff and 136 FTE classified staff.

The district’s classified staff have negotiated a 2.6% wage increase, but collective bargaining talks remain ongoing with union-represented teachers.

While there have been some in-district staffing moves, only one new teaching position — a history instructor at the middle school — is funded in the budget, said Razey. “Beyond that, we're watching enrollment closely and will be intentional about any future changes or additions.”

District superintendent Ken Murray noted that the high school’s current junior and senior classes have fairly large numbers. But following their graduations, he said, lower grades have less overall enrollment and the district does not expect a significant increase in student population in coming years. 

However, the district does anticipate its Open Doors program — aimed at serving former students without a high school diploma or GED certificate — to grow in the future.

The general fund also pays for maintenance, food services, student transportation, and non-labor costs such as supplies and instructional materials, utilities, insurance, fuel, and printing. Along with state monies, the district expects to receive $4.43 million in federal dollars and $2.72 million in local property tax levy money. Levy revenue pays for student extracurricular activities, professional development, safety and security measures, technology, programs such as College in the High School, and other expenses not funded by the state.

Razey said the district has also budgeted $2 million under both revenues and expenditures “as capacity” to supplement or match currently unanticipated grants or revenues that might be received in the coming year.

There are four other designated funds within the overall budget.

After completing several construction projects, bus acquisitions, and an energy loan payoff in recent years, the district expects to see budget reductions in 2026-27 in its capital projects fund, down about $1 million to $3.1 million; debt service declining about $86,000 to $2.17 million, and a drop in the transportation/vehicle fund from $1.32 million in 2025-26 to $597,447 in the coming year. 

The budget also includes the Associated Student Body fund estimated at $1.49 million that includes reserves and revenue from fundraisers, sales, and donations for clubs, special events, and other activities. ASB revenue projections have traditionally been somewhat overestimated to avoid a potential budget extension later and that the actual revenue is likely to be lower.

No comments on the new budget were received during a public hearing prior to its adoption.