After an in-depth discussion, the Williamsburg Community School Board approved an Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth Agreement with Nittany Learning Services in a 4-2 vote.

All board members except Benjamin Postles and GACTC representative Carlee Ranalli were present at Tuesday’s meeting.

The approval of the AEDY agreement followed a conversation about the district’s current financial status regarding the state budget impasse.

Although Superintendent Lisa Murgas said the district has a “healthy” fund balance, they are projected to run out of money by February or March, which will then result in the district taking out a loan.

For the last month, she said she has put the teachers on a “budget freeze on anything that isn’t absolutely necessary” to instruct our students.

“Money is just not coming in,” she said. “So, we’re going to move ahead as long as we can and as much as we can.”

Because the AEDY program opens Oct. 27, the prorated tuition rate for the remainder of the year is $13,874 per student, according Murgas.

She said Williamsburg typically has one student per year that attends an alternative education program. If the district does not need or use their spot, however, they can also sell it to another school if they need an extra space for a student.

With their current financial situation in mind, members discussed if investing in the AEDY program was worth their limited funds for the 2025-26 school year.

Brenneman asked Murgas if “we have to go into (the agreement) if we have to borrow money in the future?”

Murgas went on to say that the district — along with other districts in the area — have already committed to having a seat within the program.

The program is “really hoping the districts keep their commitment,” she said, noting that the board has already previously committed to one spot in the program.

“We were hoping the budget would get passed,” member James Granger said.

Reflecting on Murgas’ previous statement, Granger said “if we buy (the spot) and don’t use it, we can turn around and sell it.”

“If someone would need it,” Murgas added.

Granger said “nine times out of ten, someone’s going to look around for a spot.”

After a lengthy discussion about the topic, the majority of the board voted to approve the agreement. Member Louis Brenneman did not vote.

Currently, the district is continuing to take money out of its fund balances and reserves to cover costs while they wait for funding from the state.

“It’s bad timing because of the budget,” Murgas said to the board.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.