June 14, 2023

Dear Allentown School District (ASD) Learning Community:

We are pleased to present the estimated expenditures for the Allentown School District for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. This budget details how we are aligning our talented staff and fiscal resources to protect the instructional core and improve systemic efficiencies across our organization. As part of my Learning and Leading Plan, my first ninety days serving as your acting superintendent, and now your superintendent, I enlisted your thinking to inform our budget goals and decision making.

The District's prudent fiscal management and goals are anchored by our core values:

• Excellence: We believe in honoring each student's unique qualities and nurturing the pursuit of lifelong learning. Therefore, we have high expectations for all students and staff.

• Partnership: To achieve success, we must strengthen partnerships within the District, with families, and the community in support of our mission and vision. This requires a collective effort, to capitalize on our unique strengths and gifts.

• Equity: We believe in an equitable school system for all students. We must provide culturally relevant, personalized learning and instruction through rigorous classes that meet individual student needs and prepare them to graduate college, career, and community ready.

The presentation of our Proposed Final Budget is displayed on the Allentown School District ‘s website for public inspection and is available to those who visit the Administration Center (31 South Penn St. in Allentown, PA 18103). We invite families and members of the community to review the budget and provide feedback. The Allentown School District’s School Board of Directors is scheduled to vote on the Final Budget at the Thursday, June 22, 2023 School Board of Directors’ Meeting.

Once the Final Budget is approved, we will also release our 2023-2024 Budget Book no later than August 1, 2023. This document will include a comprehensive source of information for parents, families, educators, students, and community members to obtain a better understanding of the District’s financial plan and health. It will provide details on every school and department and tell the story of how we are working as One Allentown to align our operations, resources, time, people, and funds with specific goals in mind.

The budget goals for the 2023-20224 Fiscal Year include:

• An alignment to the District’s Continuous Improvement Plan by allocating resources toward:
• Allocating resources with the goal of providing equity across all schools.
• Focusing resources to directly support classroom learning and teaching.
• Supporting the implementation of a Whole Child Framework to address students’ social-emotional learning needs.
• Expanding Early Learning by committing funds for eight Pre-K classrooms.
• Increasing Early College and Workforce Development Opportunities.

To fulfill these commitments, we will continue to invest our revenue effectively by leveraging partnerships throughout the broader community to maximize their benefits to students, staff, and families. Our current fiscal reality means we must use every dollar allocated from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, our local taxpayers, and the federal government to strategically plan for ever-increasing budget constraints for years to come. We will invest wisely this year, with an eye on equity and future sustainability.

Please note, that the District, receives a large portion of our funds from the state of Pennsylvania. While state funding has increased in recent years, the cost of running our schools has continued to rise in the following areas:

• Increased charter school costs
• Contractual raises of 4.69% for professional staff
• Fixed inflation costs for transportation and utilities
• Increased Special Education costs

I am recommending to our School Board of Directors,  for their consideration a $464 million budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. While this represents a $69 million increase over the 2022 - 2023 fiscal year’s allocation, we have worked to develop a balanced budget that includes a 0% millage increase for taxpayers.

As Superintendent, I am confident we will be able to work with our entire Learning Community to ensure the District is on a healthy financial path that enables our students to receive the excellent education they deserve and provides educators and staff with the professional learning that they need to promote their growth and development.

I pledge to work closely with our School Board of Directors to continue to engage our Learning Community in strategic discussions and as thought partners, so that every dollar is well spent in our Allentown School District. Should you have questions regarding our budget, please email Ms. Diane Richards, Chief Financial Officer at [email protected].

I am honored to serve as your Superintendent.  Have a great summer!

Best, 

Dr. Carol D. Birks
Superintendent