JEFFERSON TWP — Somehow, it’s already budget season for local school districts.

Less than three months after Pennsylvania’s budget impasse ended, administrators at places like Knoch School District are staring down schedules for presentations and discussing budgets for the next school year. Schools will have the next several months before voting on final approval in June.

“It feels like we just did this,” Donna Eakin, Knoch’s board president, joked during a Wednesday, Feb. 4 work session.

An item Knoch’s board members will pay close attention to is the district’s contribution to the Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School’s budget. It’s executive director, Regina Hiler, will present the funding proposal to the board next week.

Last year, members of Knoch’s board criticized the vo-tech’s budget proposal due to concerns over fiscal responsibility. The board eventually voted against the vo-tech budget proposal. The vo-tech receive the necessary five out of seven district approvals to have its budget implemented back then.

Knoch spent $699,119 toward vo-tech last year — an increase of roughly $60,000 from the year before.

Jamie Van Lenten, Knoch’s business manager, said based on what the board already knows, she anticipates Knoch providing $723,320 to the upcoming vo-tech budget. This represents a 3.46% increase.

“We are pleased that the number is lower,” superintendent David Foley said.

In the coming months, Knoch officials will follow a timeline receiving multiple presentations. At Wednesday’s meeting, they received an update on the current state of Knoch’s fund balance and existing debt.

In March, the board will receive a presentation on projected revenue for 2026-27. In April, it will receive a presentation on projected expenditures.

Knoch has not increased its millage rate since 2018, keeping it at 94.275 mills since then.