Bucks County school district faces closure in January if Pennsylvania budget isn’t passed

MORRISVILLE, Pa. (WPVI) — The Borough of Morrisville School District is roughly 90 days from having to close all schools since state lawmakers have not passed a budget, releasing critical funding the district has needed since August, according to the district superintendent.

Morrisville schools Superintendent Dr. Andrew Doster said the federal government shutdown is all affecting their funding.

Doster wrote in a letter that he met with district staff on Monday and notified families that the district will have to temporarily shutdown on Jan. 30 if it does not receive state funding by the middle of that month.

READ FULL LETTER HERE

Morrisville is a small school district with three schools, nearly 900 students and more than a hundred staff members.

The superintendent explained that the district relies on state funding for more than half its operating budget and has been stretching resources for the past several months, delaying payments and not making any major purchases.

“This closure would include all in-person and virtual instruction, transportation, food service, athletics, arts and support services,” Doster wrote. “No one wants this outcome and it can be avoided. If the Pennsylvania General Assembly approves a budget, these drastic measures would no longer be necessary.”

Doster will address students when they return to school on Wednesday to explain the situation.

Other school districts across Pennsylvania are facing a similar funding crisis.

Leaders of the William Penn School District in Delaware County say the district will run out of money in January, but they have not yet specified if it will need to shut down any operations.