Editorial: Columbia Schools’ $782K Surplus — Time to Put Taxpayers First

By ColumbiaPA.online

Columbia Borough School District has reported a $782,383 surplus at the close of the 2024–25 fiscal year. As we previously covered on ColumbiaPA.online, this is a rare moment of financial breathing room for a district that has long operated under tight margins. Add in Pennsylvania’s new 2025–26 budget, which funnels $565 million statewide into adequacy and tax equity funding, and Columbia stands to receive well over $1.5 million in new state dollars.

That’s real money. And it’s time to ask: who should benefit first?

Fiscal Responsibility Over Spending Sprees

A surplus is not a license to spend recklessly — it’s proof that careful budgeting works. Columbia SD should resist the temptation to pour every dollar into new programs or bureaucratic expansion. Instead, the district should:

• Return Value to Taxpayers: Local property owners have carried the burden for years. A portion of this surplus should go toward tax relief.
• Invest in Infrastructure Wisely: Buildings need repairs, but capital projects must be prioritized based on necessity, not convenience.
• Demand Accountability: Every new state dollar should come with measurable outcomes. If Columbia receives $1.5–2 million, taxpayers deserve proof that student performance improves.

A Case for Smart Spending

Education is important, but so is stewardship of public funds. Columbia SD now has the chance to show that principles of responsibility, accountability, and respect for taxpayers can guide schools toward success.

Here’s a practical roadmap:

• Cut Waste: Audit programs that don’t deliver results. Redirect funds to classrooms, not administrative overhead.
• Empower Teachers, Not Bureaucrats: Surplus dollars should strengthen instruction, not expand central office payroll.
• Build Reserves: Harrisburg’s promises change with politics. Columbia should bank part of this windfall to protect against future cuts.

The Bottom Line

Columbia Borough School District has more money than it’s had in decades. The easy path is to spend it all. The responsible path is to protect taxpayers, demand accountability, and ensure every dollar delivers results for students.

This surplus is not just a number. It’s a test of whether Columbia will embrace fiscal discipline or fall back into old habits.