Letter to the Editor: Cumberland Valley School District Financial Deficit
Superintendent Blanchard said during the Finance Committee Meeting prior to the regular board meeting that he DID NOT plan to produce a balanced budget for 2025-2026 school year. The school district is headed towards financial insolvency (by their own projections) within two years.
They continue to go ahead with their two $150M+ construction projects, however, they will still need to raise another $45-$50M in bond sales over the next 1-2 years (according to CV’s own current $57M Bond Proxy). But, they have a negative S&P Global credit rating with a “Negative” outlook with a 1 in 3 chance of another downgrade if their deficits continue (also from the current bond proxy).
Since they are continuing even greater deficits, it is highly likely they CVSD could get another double credit downgrade (to “less than investment grade”) when they go to market to sell the additional $45-$50M in bonds needed to complete the construction projects.
This is irresponsible by Dr. Blanchard, CFO Mike Willis, and Board President Greg Rausch. Remember, it was only 1 year ago that 4 board members (including myself) requested copies of the detailed budget… Board President Rausch and Superintendent Blanchard refused… the only way I got a copy was via a formal Right to Know Request that was eventually appealed to the state of PA (I was granted). They refused to produce a 3-year balanced budget then… finally, they refused to consider scaling back the construction and/or delaying.
How can CVSD end up like the city of Harrisburg… eventually going into financial receivership.
Respectfully,
Brian T Drapp
Captain, United States Navy (Ret)
Frm. School Director and Board President
Cumberland Valley School District
Harrisburg100 
Irresponsible is about the kindest way you could describe them. Criminal is more fitting. The state needs to investigate.
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Where is the Department of Education? Why is the board of directors and the superintendent allowed to act so recklessly?
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Considering the source, I wouldn’t put too much thought to this article. Since he resigned from the school board he’s been trying to tear the school district down. He’s actually quite pathetic and I hope he finds another way to fill his time soon. Hopefully not on any other school board, nobody deserves that.
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Very true. Normally I wouldn’t believe anything that Dr Blanchard said because of how much he lacks candor, but in this one instance I believe him, that he has no plan and is pushing CV into receivership.
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I remember when board members and the superintendent lied and said everything with the budget was fine. Look at all the sheep at the public meetings that scream everything is fine. They are so gullible. Pathetic.
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