[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6285356,"mediaKeyId","2573456-9c63c1bf2b502d122c108534a7a39206","parentId",2573456,"title","Board reviews contracts: student placement, three-year camera subscription, special-ed seats and Meadows renewal","audioSeconds",118,"startMs",3150000,"endMs",3268000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2573456-9c63c1bf2b502d122c108534a7a39206&start=3150&end=3268","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2573456-9c63c1bf2b502d122c108534a7a39206/thumbnail_3150000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6285356/Pennsylvania/Board-reviews-contracts-student-placement-three-year-camera-subscription-special-ed-seats-and-Meadows-renewal","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285356-f0a4aabbbc92ae7e9141a324f601b67a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169866&Signature=TwWHwpGOX0x4RPPyqGWVZbrw06rOGqbXRROa8Nu22y6Ykv2LbRAV0uHI2NrQ2744MTccrIlGSx9xg3lmHoK1uRkGQm7B3NbffNiYIxkgM9lKPXW40SBb57k59537nwG1ds84o2hgItn5S6hAc3mLDLa1CITAVdENWthAb1gG016X~bfXCUxZpUqwUUH5dFsPwvRFur1ghAU14WLe52yqouSv8yI~Qbqg5Z3l2gfKTLEPOJ~phfav0QDLtpSUrS4XxSbvF3XMyTKukQSqAeTlDVGAQgH9N-XpLCsa4XG2k~1ciMUYBY-yAWw61f5lxKtBksgkfR14nyzhIST~~-SmlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West York Area School District","date","2025-03-12T18:20:11.61Z","article","District administrators presented four contract items the board will consider at its next meeting: an individual-student contract with Eastern York School District for an autistic-support classroom seat; a three-year subscription with Lumana for a camera-management and replacement program; an agreement to purchase three prepaid elementary special-education seats from Yellow Breeches (to be located in the Red Lion School District); and a renewal of the Meadows Psychiatric Center placement contract for students in inpatient medical settings.

Why it matters: together these agreements address students’ specialized educational placements and the district’s ongoing investment in campus safety infrastructure.

Student placements and special education
Sherry explained the Eastern York contract is intended to secure a seat for a student with autism for whom West York has no in-district autistic-support opening; the district’s classes are full and the contract would fund the outplacement. The Yellow Breeches agreement would buy three prepaid elementary special-education slots in a program that will operate in the Red Lion School District and is intended to reduce lengthy busing for students with intensive needs. The Meadows renewal was described as a standard renewal for educational services when students are placed in that inpatient medical facility.

Security camera contract
Sherry said the proposed Lumana agreement is a three-year subscription that includes software, discounted replacement cameras (about 50% off quoted list price) and a three-year warranty; initial payment is being scheduled to use remaining funds in the current year’s buildings-and-grounds and safety-and-security accounts. The presenter said the deal will cut typical replacement-camera funding by roughly $42,000 in the year shown and that Lumana will honor current pricing for any cameras the district purchases during the three-year term.

Donation
The board was told West York Area High School received a $1,000 donation from Refuel Energy after participating in a state free-breakfast recognition program. The funds will be added to the high school donation account.

What’s next: administrators said these contracts will appear on the board agenda for approval at the next business meeting. No votes were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","West York Area School District Board Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","District administrators presented four contract items the board will consider at its next meeting: an individual-student contract with Eastern York School District; a three-year Lumana camera subscription; three prepaid elementary special-education seats with Yellow Breeches; and a renewal with Meadows Psychiatric Center.","taxTitle","West York Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",40053,"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},6285360,"West York Area SD board weighs 4% tax index, debt draw and further cuts to close budget gap",739,136000,875000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2573456-9c63c1bf2b502d122c108534a7a39206&start=136&end=875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2573456-9c63c1bf2b502d122c108534a7a39206/thumbnail_136000.jpg","/articles/6285360/Pennsylvania/West-York-Area-SD-board-weighs-4-tax-index-debt-draw-and-further-cuts-to-close-budget-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285360-558cb7a46299b13a65f59a82c48c4124/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169866&Signature=fEk7I~J5YsIWkzOe~XY-kTT3QGF5GaiL1GZ4TUEof71AubxovwW0oZ3NuHP2Fg5By7lC1mXi1wLeJz0BwVqD5pK9-VOv5TpavXzGmjUofRcUmQehvKsBlDASg1UJ3FmKWK7hClmvSwMtny6pxMAMlWzgxOP8eHqx2uNDvGihSzR1ardqBTxKP3G83ZuJFZfvhNR0Kyml9chM1Wi4mUOhGDbnkyauFsJ7zhHvTshXRyvK5qKD3UhIlnAyV8Z6phqaTtJgn3yYrYhkcFgnhpHXS7Khz~o5-fXxiSIrfLUb~CEj6uzOYm-9VT2MH3KsXI27wd6XvRSArnw9xAaWpOzMyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sherry, a district staff member presenting the budget, told the West York Area School District board that the draft budget for the 2025–26 year assumes a 4% local revenue increase and reflects a starting fund balance described in the presentation as \"4.3 or $9,600,000,\" with a budgeted deficit of about $4,350,000 before savings.

The board’s discussion focused on whether to include a 4% tax index in the final budget, how to handle a possible additional debt draw of $10 million–$15 million to finish capital projects, and which program and operational cuts the administration should continue to pursue to narrow the district’s deficit.

Why it matters: the board must choose a course that preserves its fund balance and credit standing while limiting tax impacts on district homeowners. Sherry said the 4% index in the draft produces roughly $1.525 million in additional local revenue; an adjusted index of up to 7% would yield about $2.7 million and would push the budget into a modest surplus based on current assumptions. The board was briefed that state and federal aid remains uncertain and can materially change the final numbers.

Sherry summarized changes since the January presentation: the district expects roughly $250,000 more in revenue after York County School of Technology reported 17 additional accepted students at $14,600 per pupil; the district plans to capture about $2 million in savings by removing some positions from next year’s budget and through state budget increases; and it identified $277,173 in salary-related savings (attrition/internal moves and program discontinuation). She also said the administration has proposed a three-year camera subscription (see separate item) that reduces replacement-camera costs by about $42,000.

Discussion items and impacts
- Transportation: presenters recommended eliminating a 77-passenger bus run that currently carries \"maybe 30\" students and reviewing use of an underused activity bus to cut costs. Those route changes were described as part of a tiered set of reductions.
- Program changes: the administration included the discontinuation of the NJROTC program in the salary savings, which several board members called a painful but necessary cut.
- Debt service: the presentation included modeling of an additional capital borrowing (the board discussed $10 million and $15 million options). Board members said a $15 million draw would increase annual debt service to about $5.225 million under the scenario shown; that increase was described as part of a plan to finish capital projects without restructuring existing debt.
- Revenues and deficits: the draft showed revenues of roughly $73.9 million and expenditures near $74.8 million, yielding a roughly $924,000 deficit under the present assumptions — an improvement of about $41,000 from the January projection. The presenters noted Social Security and retirement changes that affect both expenditures and certain state refunds.
- Tax impact for homeowners: the presentation gave sample tax impacts under the 4% index (examples in presenter’s slides): an assessed value of $125,000 => about $125 more per year; West Manchester Township average assessed value cited at $162,000 => about $162 more; a $100,000 assessed value => about $100 more.
- Assessment appeals and county common-level ratio: Sherry explained that York County’s common-level ratio (the metric comparing assessed value to market value) has fallen — she cited a drop from 78% to 53.5% since the district’s earlier measurement — and that reassessment appeals are ongoing. She said the county-level change already reduces projected tax revenue by about $76,000 compared with last year’s assessed snapshot.

Board direction
Board members repeatedly framed the discussion as a choice between spreading tax increases now and risking larger increases later, or taking a smaller increase now and potentially returning next year. Several members said they were willing to support a 4% index as a baseline and to continue searching for additional savings; one member expressly said they would vote no on 4%. Multiple directors said they prefer preserving the district’s credit rating by avoiding restructuring debt.

Superintendent Dr. Davies and board leaders were asked to invite financial advisers (Raymond James) to present publicly to the full board so the district and the public can hear the debt and borrowing analysis directly. The board and administration also agreed to continue working on healthcare- and personnel-related savings and to present a final budget for an April review and a May approval vote.

What’s next: the board said it will keep 4% “baked into” the draft budget as it moves to final preparation; several members asked administration to return updated numbers for insurance premiums and any material state funding changes before the final vote. No final budget vote was recorded in the transcript excerpt provided.

Ending: Board members asked administration to keep the public informed about what projects a debt draw would fund and to seek other revenue or grant opportunities before finalizing decisions.","Board and administration discussed a proposed 4% tax index, a potential $15 million capital draw that would raise debt service, program cuts and savings measures intended to reduce a projected fiscal-year deficit of roughly $900,000.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6285341,"Board voices concern over York Tech reimagining, capacity and cost implications",508,5960000,6468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2573456-9c63c1bf2b502d122c108534a7a39206&start=5960&end=6468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2573456-9c63c1bf2b502d122c108534a7a39206/thumbnail_5960000.jpg","/articles/6285341/Pennsylvania/Board-voices-concern-over-York-Tech-reimagining-capacity-and-cost-implications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285341-f8574c9dc394bd88873937826f24a98b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169866&Signature=AiY37XCu~p2ItvbkbVCE3EnGrI0t0xp1OOKfNTrr9k0O~OXDx5cZgiyPrr9yymEfQSZUm4UTKNC4O-YGCVTwe6lfm~MaXw4oW85R-8vHXRHM~Ztpjl~hKqu~XGNcBi9lsIANOYgnJcKcvRY4XHbYVA9t0QBSiwc4t7HUTcXWxL1JZ3zlezqbAsjxJ9mVc~7zRnRWb1k3HvYvNH2fM3cxte8eUV9eYy9HNZAOkyOYLNQPZ6BaRlTo3oPuCMbsP0f9dl~fA-whqwYDh4pLOPQFrzcCR2vmXge7xhv8AWVelmBusCazTjofL0ENgzTvblPEtW04vxBh-Ducz4jBKdOu8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Directors raised concerns about a proposed reimagining and space redesign at York County School of Technology (York Tech) that would, in their view, shift the program’s focus and potentially reduce access for vocational students across participating districts.

Why it matters: West York board members said they want any expansion or building project to be clearly linked to increasing student access and serving vocational workforce needs, not to become a replacement for district programming or a model that primarily draws students into a four‑year, college‑preparatory track.

What board members said
Director Harlacher reported she met with York Tech leadership and asked for greater clarity about whether proposed changes would increase the number of seats available to students from sending districts. Several directors said York Tech’s current proposal emphasizes a four‑year model that, in their view, appears to focus more on higher‑education preparation than on vocational trades. One director said the district is concerned the proposal could act like a charter model that draws the top students away from home districts without expanding total vocational capacity; another board member said York Tech asked participating districts to fund facility changes without a guarantee that the waiting list (which a speaker described as about 600 students countywide) would be reduced.

Harlacher said she found the York Tech staff professional and receptive but said West York will watch proposals closely and ask for alternatives that expand access — including part‑time or 10–12 models — before endorsing major capital expenditures.

What’s next: directors said they plan to attend York Tech meetings as observers, review feasibility studies and ask York Tech to demonstrate how any capital investment will increase seats for students with vocational interests. No board vote on York Tech matters was recorded in the transcript excerpt.","West York Area School District directors said they support York County School of Technology’s vocational mission but questioned a proposed ‘reimagined’ four‑year model and new facilities plan that could reduce seats available to Vo‑Tech students and increase costs for participating districts.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6285346,"District proposes OSS claims-direct program to reduce health-care costs for employees",129,3766000,3895000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2573456-9c63c1bf2b502d122c108534a7a39206&start=3766&end=3895","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2573456-9c63c1bf2b502d122c108534a7a39206/thumbnail_3766000.jpg","/articles/6285346/Pennsylvania/District-proposes-OSS-claims-direct-program-to-reduce-health-care-costs-for-employees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285346-0a03a14523327c674355f33509aa18c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169866&Signature=lsqhPGlPE8k9b-0BLTh61cbT3dVIAriU-1-bSxhwSwB1xis0AMFCzlRyLNcL5-Qmk9GmoA4TwNd6IeN4lrQxvo6-gL2PI-nEPWMGDRW2BHPsdehTWmfEq2f7LjfKbFXNDuwz0pGNePca~HtGypy~l3bN4FpPkdoi8RVESs4iluXqFzb11XBCHj0aq-ASrhjHdZYFxDL8zVgpW2rKI4~XGImAWMlqFYdcmuG9CIZ53XLAPikWk058Og1lPHWHHh1ouF1iJ3dC4ExB43hkiuxl5no~TvN162Uh26nbySKmxj99niblODxE53OKY7Yor5fYhs6SqPWaPWhzv06wn8gzvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff described a proposed participation in an OSS program that would allow the district to pay certain medical claims directly at negotiated, discounted rates rather than routing them through the district’s conventional health-insurance vendor.

Sherry told the board the program — described in the meeting as OSS — would involve no membership fee and would be offered at no cost to employees; the district would pay only actual claims at discounted provider rates. The program also includes a concierge service to help employees obtain priority appointments outside school hours and to expedite scheduling.

Why it matters: the administration framed OSS as one mechanism for controlling health-care costs while maintaining access for staff. Staff said neighboring districts use similar arrangements and that the district will negotiate memoranda of understanding with employee associations before implementation.

Board members asked about the scope of services and how the district would track savings; Sherry said attachments listing covered services were provided in the board packet and that the district will report savings metrics if the program is adopted.

What’s next: staff said they are working with the district’s associations to establish MOUs and will bring a formal participation agreement to the board if negotiations are successful. No formal board action was recorded in the transcript excerpt.","Administrators presented an option to enroll district employees in an OSS claims-direct program that would have the district pay medical claims directly at negotiated rates and offer a \"white-glove\" concierge for expedited appointments; staff said participation would cost the district only the claims paid and would be at no employee fee.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6285351,"Board debates ending Zoom participation; policy enforcement and Teams substitution proposed",513,3403000,3916000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2573456-9c63c1bf2b502d122c108534a7a39206&start=3403&end=3916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2573456-9c63c1bf2b502d122c108534a7a39206/thumbnail_3403000.jpg","/articles/6285351/Pennsylvania/Board-debates-ending-Zoom-participation-policy-enforcement-and-Teams-substitution-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285351-59cf8437aa2cc4c2ae12e2f96725dac0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169866&Signature=kGPmrmbo0pYUvCGxgrUbi3Nxm2N83h2E4IG7Q2RLkJZmtevrI70MHaF2q7nFXtFIJ3U1q3expBIYeYePq8rMJbeZQfocOe8vAbpjxU3fx1Bc9CxTFZ1TlPQnUtXwokh71CNgMGf1njzwxlw0pJxO~XbHRfyKPmiBkKnQEsNIt-aXjvr7a0LRJlainJjgrMyeLa7PXfVPfa57RnExIrNh6cIqMmx~Ie2TUfSmumDr~BMMemn0x2YBQKA3WIKp~iD~zEBrP~ADa2LZjxHe6ux7DxZ5Iy-O2A-4F788OO04akc3UojHuUg4hVrnML3OqItixr9VMKsfHzriLD95sHRI-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board discussed enforcement and possible elimination of remote Zoom participation for directors. President Rice reminded directors that board policy 6.1 requires members to request remote participation in advance; she said the board would begin enforcing that policy and asked whether Zoom should be limited, removed or altered.

Several directors said the district currently pays about $800 annually for the Zoom license and that canceling it now (if not renewing at the next renewal) would save the district that amount. Directors proposed a phased approach: enforce the policy through the end of the school year, monitor effects, and revisit the question before the next school year. One director suggested replacing Zoom with Microsoft Teams for invitation-only participation; another noted YouTube livestreaming would remain available for public viewing.

Why it matters: the discussion balances transparency and public access (YouTube livestreaming was said to remain available) against board expectations for in-person engagement and concerns that remote participants may be distracted. Administrators noted that the district already records and posts meetings to YouTube and the website.

What’s next: the board agreed to enforce policy 6.1 immediately (members must request remote participation in advance) and to explore substituting Teams for Zoom to capture the $800 annual savings; any final decision about removing Zoom will be revisited before the next contract renewal.","Directors discussed enforcing an existing policy that limits board members’ remote participation, considered phasing out Zoom to save about $800 annually, and suggested switching to Microsoft Teams or invitation-only alternatives while preserving YouTube livestreaming for the public.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board reviews contracts: student placement, three-year camera subscription, special-ed seats and Meadows renewal

West York Area SD board weighs 4% tax index, debt draw and further cuts to close budget gap

Board voices concern over York Tech reimagining, capacity and cost implications

District proposes OSS claims-direct program to reduce health-care costs for employees

Board debates ending Zoom participation; policy enforcement and Teams substitution proposed