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MASD Board: Keep Calm and Carry On
Budget impasse reaching three months, but MASD in position of strength
By Adam Reinherz
The Tube City Almanac
September 15, 2025
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
As Pennsylvanians await passage of a new state budget, McKeesport Area School District directors are remaining calm. The nearly three-month delay has prompted billions of dollars potentially headed toward public education to remain in limbo.
Pennsylvania public schools already missed out on $1.75 billion in expected payments in July and August, according to Pennsylvania State Education Association. Spotlight PA puts the number at more than $2 billion.
During Thursday’s school board meeting, during a public comment period, retired state Supreme Court Justice Cynthia Baldwin noted the state budget, as well as changes to the federal Department of Education, before asking directors what efforts, if any, are underway to stem fiscal shortfalls.
School Director David Donato pointed to state legislators as bearing responsibility.
“Now you would hope those individuals who represent us — and we do have a couple of individuals there to represent us — would hurry that task and settle that difference and get that money to the district,” he said.
Financial disaster is not imminent, Superintendent Donald MacFann said. “The district is in the black. We're not in the red.”
“We’re sitting on a positive fund balance,” District Business Manager Joe Villella said. “We’re in a much better position than many out there.”
In March, Peter J. Vancheri, an accountant and partner at Hosack, Specht, Muetzel & Wood, told school directors an independent audit of the district revealed a “healthy fund balance” of approximately $24.5 million, of which $17.9 million is assigned and $6.5 million is unassigned.”
The totals, Vancheri said, indicate “you have money set aside for future shortfalls.”
Maintaining such a fiscally sound status is uncommon. Among the 500 districts in the Commonwealth, 412 are experiencing a deficit (per pupil, the shortfall is $2,572), according to The Public Interest Law Center.
MASD cannot allow its current situation to alter future behavior, School Director Josh Lefcowitz said. “I think we’re in a really good spot and we should try and stay mindful of trying to stay in a good spot for as long as possible.”
The current position is a credit to Villella, school director David Seropian said. A budget that withstands the unexpected reflects preparation, he continued. “You never know the political process you're going to end up with.”
Adam Reinherz is a Pittsburgh-based journalist. He can be reached at adam.reinherz@gmail.com.
Originally published September 15, 2025.
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