The lack of a state budget is hurting schools as they approach the first day of classes, with the Weatherly Area School District being no exception.

During the district’s school board meeting this week, Edward Rarick, business manager, reported the district has had to pay approximately $1.2 million from the general fund to cover the lack of funds from the state.

The Pennsylvania budget for 2025-26 proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro is $51.5 billion, focusing on increased funding for education and human services. Lawmakers, however, have been unable to come to a consensus on a spending plan that would go back to the governor’s desk.

The education funding portion of the proposed budget includes an increase of $75 million for basic education funding, more than $1.5 billion for special education funding, and a $5.5 million increase for career and technical education funding.

— James Logue Jr.