[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6299118,"mediaKeyId","2498680-de6b2b5776e84c68dd29d6f5266f379c","parentId",2498680,"title","After zoning denial, Upper Dublin begins dual track for bus facility: appeal, lease extension and alternate plans discussed","audioSeconds",1274,"startMs",4781000,"endMs",6055000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2498680-de6b2b5776e84c68dd29d6f5266f379c&start=4781&end=6055","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2498680-de6b2b5776e84c68dd29d6f5266f379c/thumbnail_4781000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6299118/Pennsylvania/After-zoning-denial-Upper-Dublin-begins-dual-track-for-bus-facility-appeal-lease-extension-and-alternate-plans-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299118-1de7159d5ad8b0152e17ea023318c540/orig.mp4?Expires=1776019999&Signature=W9s72FZUiil1FJtAVQ9tbTA0zauOjSd2TXeHTlKAnnj1o0uTUjhBu-6y5PwKxIbYARl4v-4l3k1~uhDR4iXNwgDUJbwwvMMdSd1U1kumMw~-Ke1DRfetNDxnpLz2uSefJcIcoW7wkA78ouM1929SdBeAwRN85Sqz74hzflawiHOZ09huqvBVmXC3zRZR3hrEZxl8DKZr6HYNbVienhvQDnFv5Uae78pajMprIal3m9QLlWRa5BC6yi843ppQm9iWBWobj1hVUmLJgOGWLEWBeGkroXKTxV0aoBNuhgDssNKCfNDlUBgcXnWJOfIWuI56qLLcmdQFTjBwmsC9BBjhRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Upper Dublin School District","date","2025-03-05T01:49:18Z","article","The Finance Committee on Feb. 19 discussed next steps after the zoning hearing board denied variances for the district’s proposed transportation facility. Committee members weighed an appeal — which must be filed within 30 days of the decision — against pursuing alternative paths for housing and maintaining the district bus fleet once the current lease expires June 30, 2026.

“Just for clarity for the public, the process for that appeal is that we would have to appeal within 30 days of the decision,” the meeting facilitator said, noting the written zoning decision may take up to 45 days to arrive and the board may need to act before receiving the written opinion.

Board and committee members raised several options: seek an extension or renegotiation of the current lease to buy time; broaden the search criteria used by the district’s real‑estate advisor (JLL) to include properties previously excluded because demolition or site work raised cost; consider splitting bus parking across district sites as a short‑term contingency; examine whether neighboring districts have maintenance capacity available for agreements; and evaluate using district‑owned land for a partial transportation footprint if necessary.

Committee members and administrators repeatedly emphasized the operational and cost tradeoffs in splitting buses across multiple sites, including driver and mechanic travel time, the logistics of keys and spares, lost parking for staff and students, and higher infrastructure costs for future electrification if multiple charging locations would be required. “If the buses are elsewhere, then the staff comes in, has to clock in somewhere. Then they have to go to where the bus is,” a committee member cautioned; administrators noted modern electronic timekeeping can be used but that other inefficiencies remain.

Committee members asked administration to pursue several workstreams: attempt to negotiate a lease extension with the existing property owner; re‑open the property search with broadened criteria and new cost assumptions; and prepare a short‑term options memo that quantifies the financial and operational impacts of contingency solutions (split parking, third‑party maintenance agreements, temporary leased space, or limited on‑campus maintenance). The committee asked for deliverables and estimated costs that would inform board direction later this spring.

Public commenters at the meeting urged additional community engagement and suggested exploring town‑owned parcels, nearby municipal facilities and other local options. District staff said they have ongoing conversations with the township and will continue outreach.

The committee did not make a final decision at the meeting and will discuss legal options including an appeal in executive session. Administrators said they will return with comparative short‑term and long‑term options and cost estimates for committee review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","UDSD Finance Committee Meeting (2/19/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","After a zoning‑hearing denial for a proposed transportation facility, Upper Dublin’s Finance Committee discussed an appeal and directed administrators to prepare short‑term and long‑term alternatives before the district’s bus lease expires June 30, 2026.","taxTitle","Upper Dublin SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",60292,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6299123,"Finance Committee approves fire‑alarm bid schedule, moves ahead on Jarrettown planning and Maple Glen roof recommendation",1657,2107000,3764000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2498680-de6b2b5776e84c68dd29d6f5266f379c&start=2107&end=3764","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2498680-de6b2b5776e84c68dd29d6f5266f379c/thumbnail_2107000.jpg","/articles/6299123/Pennsylvania/Finance-Committee-approves-firealarm-bid-schedule-moves-ahead-on-Jarrettown-planning-and-Maple-Glen-roof-recommendation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299123-31e2e359b46e11725f6dca4500e56e21/orig.mp4?Expires=1776019999&Signature=blS5C9aBwfvTBPYdTm7Ak69FWvpLV0YpngseBjnRYHFiU6zPy0sblMoUlvabkE~7Q6M5b7t9iSBrwMH3iPoAVRAqKZVdPHCbHCty~~RS7kJyAAZg1NFaeAGnDyOwz5H0t7REd~lCzHyAXOpxIB5go6waeXzmdZdXQqAxASiV61VXP1yCkakvQLUOTWpIR~EkdO4QGElGdXmAn3LnBEfoaD0-9pcNuNz5X4mgzF7VhGVoi36SEQkvPFS9OE8cHrkLTxAjEC6Nz~0T1qyE6TTXuovlvKUxoMtrfHREAR4sSf2evtAUVSRStJudR6SI4-lmzmZIawjWwva1qXf0cVKiBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Upper Dublin School District Finance Committee on Feb. 19 reviewed several facilities items: a planned public bid for fire alarm replacements at three elementary schools and district farm buildings, progress on long‑range planning for Jarrettown Elementary School and recommendations for roofing and paving work.

Tim Geider of ICS summarized a bid package that will go out next week for full replacement of fire alarm devices and control panels at Fort Washington, Maple Glen and Thomas Fitzwater elementary schools, excluding Jarrettown while that school’s larger renovation plan is developed. “The design’s complete and includes a full replacement of the fire alarm devices and the control panels within these buildings,” Geider said, noting the systems will be updated to current NFPA standards and bids are expected back March 12. The budget for the package is about $800,000, he said; the schedule anticipates phased work and substantial completion by August 2026.

Administrators said Jarrettown Elementary — the district’s oldest building, originally built in 1955 and subsequently enlarged — needs major investment. ICS identified four options: 1A targeted renovation (HVAC, sprinklers and systems), 1B full renovation at existing square footage, 2 partial demolition with additions to expand common spaces, and 3 a new building with demolition of the existing structure. Enrollment projections show an expected increase of 35 to 65 students at Jarrettown over five to ten years, driving capacity considerations. ICS plans stakeholder surveys and a building tour during March and aims to gather input by May so the administration could make a recommendation to the board in June.

Stephanie (Director of Communications) outlined a communications plan to support the Jarrettown process, including a dedicated project web page, targeted emails to affected families, newsletter updates, community partnerships (for example with the township and public library), social media outreach and proactive press engagement.

Facilities staff also recommended awarding the shingled roof replacement at Maple Glen Elementary to Vertex Roofing, the low bidder at $696,800. Bob Lester said the district received six bids and that Vertex — which completed a prior gym roof project for the district — was the recommended contractor. “We were very happy with their work,” Lester said. Bids were reviewed by the district architect and staff recommended proceeding.

The committee heard plans for summer paving work at multiple sites including Upper Dublin High School (Performing Arts Center parking lot), Jarrettown (front lot), the administration building and Fort Washington (front aisle and ADA adjustments). Staff said the Jarrettown paving item can be treated as an alternate so the district can decide later whether to proceed depending on the school’s final plan.

Staff updated the committee on the softball field project: weather and a required land development review by the township delayed the schedule. The athletic field’s sod farm availability controls installation timing; staff said the field may not be playable for the first home games but dugouts, bullpens and the scoreboard are usable.

Committee members asked about phasing, contractor continuity and whether combining projects into single bid packages would preserve equipment compatibility across buildings. The administration said unified bidding provides continuity and flexibility through alternate line items by building.

The committee voted to move the roofing recommendation forward and authorized advertisement of the fire alarm bid package with building breakouts and unit pricing to allow construction flexibility. Jarrettown stakeholder engagement steps were approved to proceed.","The committee reviewed a planned bid package to replace fire alarm systems at three elementary schools and district facilities, received an update on Jarrettown Elementary planning (four options, stakeholder engagement through May), and heard a recommendation to award Maple Glen roof work to Vertex Roofing at $696,800.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6299128,"Upper Dublin food service details finances, menus and local procurement; no price increase planned for 2026",0,2771000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2498680-de6b2b5776e84c68dd29d6f5266f379c&start=2771&end=2771","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2498680-de6b2b5776e84c68dd29d6f5266f379c/thumbnail_2771000.jpg","/articles/6299128/Pennsylvania/Upper-Dublin-food-service-details-finances-menus-and-local-procurement-no-price-increase-planned-for-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299128-2e5ad4c777abbc010a08410841c1419e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776019999&Signature=gO8BLtsfnli4DoHvBN0-YdaSr8R7TtOS0G7NM3wOyJQyRtfNcGedRYUUU3s1v0d4LFhUkyojTDWWNte73nIup~jYPdrOstoxTQWYhnuPGe5Gpc~MkwsutD~vKy9VlH70gWQkRIXXQ3Tf5WrYib9qxkza3NvL35bMn6S9oaws0qbvXcqzBbhVplEOgX-9r51cTxp8OtsTQ6SCAE3aZA6LH-8BYiegTYVqE~lg9eXv5j9KPtycuNlBR-r9EU2aC-DuKSWGF2-oYNNbBt724VoBc1jTcWDSbS3K~Sq4mSEpz9yv~5G4kI-MVd7EI2nB~OGz2LMQvvGqaGCX56hQNUIHdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kristen Deli, director of food services for Upper Dublin School District, told the Finance Committee on Feb. 19 that the district’s food service program operates under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs and that the department is managed as an enterprise fund separate from the district’s general fund.

Deli said the department runs like a business, follows USDA nutrition and procurement rules, completes a PDE procurement review every three years and a comprehensive administrative review every five years, and uses federal commodity entitlement to buy products such as frozen broccoli or bulk cheese. “All food service operations conducted by our department are principally for the benefit of school children and all the revenue from which we use, which is used solely for the operation or improvement of food services,” Deli said.

The presentation summarized recent program initiatives: a welcome video to help families and students navigate meal lines; a “peak season processing” project in June that converted local produce into ready-to‑serve items; a more fully integrated participation in the PA Harvest of the Month program; larger student taste‑testing pilots with vendors that yielded more than 1,000 responses; and kitchen renovations at Fort Washington Elementary.

Deli broke down revenue and expense categories and described how state and federal reimbursements interact for breakfasts and lunches. She said Pennsylvania’s supplemental state payments under the current Universal School Breakfast arrangement shift state contribution levels so that, for paid-category breakfasts, the federal portion (about $0.39) and a state supplement (about $1.98) together make meals free for families under current budget assumptions. Deli warned those state supplements could change if the universal breakfast policy or federal contributions shift.

On pricing, Deli said the district charges $3.10 for elementary paid lunches and $3.35 for secondary paid lunches and that she is not recommending an increase in meal prices for the 2026 school year. “We are not going to be making any recommendations to increase meal prices for the 2026 school year,” she said, adding she will formalize that stance at a later meeting.

Committee members pressed on vulnerability to changes in federal reimbursements and on negative lunch debt. Deli said the department is financially healthy, with a fund balance that provides short‑term flexibility, but noted program rules such as paid lunch equity limit how some funds can be used. She said negative lunch debt has been consistent at about $12,000 and that universal breakfast has eliminated negative breakfast debt.

Deli described staffing and capital priorities: a proposed five‑year capital improvement plan to modernize service lines and equipment across kitchens, a focus on recruitment and retention, and expanded professional development for culinary and equipment maintenance skills. She also discussed food cost pressures, noting food accounts for roughly 41.6% of the department’s expenses and that a cooperative RFP with 60 surrounding districts has helped stabilize pricing.

The committee also heard that the district has a line item on the agenda to accept $5,000 in Acme gift card donations to support food service equipment needs. Deli said those donations and future “round up at the register” campaigns help chip away at equipment gaps.

Deli closed by asking the committee for continued support as the department seeks greater local procurement, recipe reformulations to meet updated USDA meal pattern requirements for sodium and fats, and consistent equipment upgrades across schools to equalize students’ meal experiences.

Committee members thanked Deli and praised staff work and community partnerships. The presentation proceeded to committee questions and ordinary meeting business.","Food service director Kristen Deli updated the Finance Committee on school meal operations, local procurement initiatives, participation trends, federal and state reimbursements and a proposed five‑year capital plan, saying the department will not recommend increasing student meal prices for the 2026 school year.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6299113,"Upper Dublin receives roughly $1.4 million federal rebate for Fort Washington geothermal work",177,4179000,4356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2498680-de6b2b5776e84c68dd29d6f5266f379c&start=4179&end=4356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2498680-de6b2b5776e84c68dd29d6f5266f379c/thumbnail_4179000.jpg","/articles/6299113/Pennsylvania/Upper-Dublin-receives-roughly-14-million-federal-rebate-for-Fort-Washington-geothermal-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299113-c2fa5d6f331d2eeef3f81d60d12321a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776019999&Signature=bTx-2E3nDVvtd7XaajDgbv4~EaYPzv-k3MsQy0bso9NXsJ4Zmv0pYUuLmUOolwxPEaB10GktOLQdTTk25CYSfZGzSBoYDlmGE1iRzH38A6ytwAvi2y7VF6VqlNrhHQeqa1LWEXBM7HaoJ1BdnAegZP~GlBKJJDCSnLBQjMrdxuHLtXmSuRlqIUGk5N8hwAAjoIpnIYB0VjtV9yR6HnZjEFMQr32iQjXQPPmrRAPNblaqFnOKiS778-68EjhIenWE5h7fE3n8Y8toH9SIHOS0gXeAJuW5vSCc8a0UT6KOf9eFFgcSj3gw3GmAhzyZf34vqtNB47StNZi0d~hhEa51dQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Andy (Finance Committee administrator) told the committee on Feb. 19 that the district contracted Energy Tax Savers to complete documentation and federal rebate submissions for geothermal work installed at Fort Washington Elementary.

The contractor’s evaluation and submission work cost the district $14,100, Andy said, and the district has been approved for a reimbursement of “a little over $1,400,000.” “We actually already received that money last week. The check is deposited in the bank,” he said. The project qualified under the Inflation Reduction Act for energy‑efficiency incentives because the geothermal system met eligibility criteria compared to traditional heating and cooling systems, the administration said.

Andy said the original budget did not include the full reimbursement amount; the district had set a placeholder for $65,000 to hire an advisor at the time the project was approved. The newly received funds will appear in the district’s financial statements when February closes and will show as increased revenue compared with the current year budget, he said. The administration said it will present options for use of the funds in future meetings.

Committee members congratulated staff on the award and asked for follow‑up on recommended uses for the funds.","District officials told the Finance Committee that they have received a federal reimbursement of about $1.4 million under the Inflation Reduction Act for the geothermal installation at Fort Washington Elementary; the reimbursement will appear in February financials.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

After zoning denial, Upper Dublin begins dual track for bus facility: appeal, lease extension and alternate plans discussed

Finance Committee approves fire‑alarm bid schedule, moves ahead on Jarrettown planning and Maple Glen roof recommendation

Upper Dublin food service details finances, menus and local procurement; no price increase planned for 2026

Upper Dublin receives roughly $1.4 million federal rebate for Fort Washington geothermal work