Selinsgrove superintendent calls for long-term financial plan

(Selinsgrove) — The superintendent of the Selinsgrove Area School District wants its board to start thinking about a way forward financially.

District Superintendent Chad warns itsstaring at budget deficits within the next couple years

He says just like most districts, pensions, salaries and health care will stress the budget in the coming years.

“But its saying as a district, we need to start looking and saying, we need to start changing how we operate, if we want to be financially sustainable into the future,” says Cohrs.

He says Selinsgrove can avoid layoffs, but only if it’s proactive.

Cohrs would like board members to have a plan in place by next year, which might include more use of technology and fewer staff.

Says Cohrs: “As we start projecting out into the future, we realize that if we maintain the status quo, we’re going to be operating with financial deficits.”

He says the district could run a few years in a deficit — if necessary –thanks to a rainy-day fund, but he’d rather avoid that approach.

The state provided an estimated $11 million to Selinsgrove to fund schools this year.