[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6094423,"mediaKeyId","2844303-15a35b69b9762d55dace343af18850a5","parentId",2844303,"title","Central York business operations committee reviews updated budget projections; staff proposes raising tax increase to 2.5% for buffer","audioSeconds",1274,"startMs",3531000,"endMs",4805000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2844303-15a35b69b9762d55dace343af18850a5&start=3531&end=4805","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2844303-15a35b69b9762d55dace343af18850a5/thumbnail_3531000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6094423/Pennsylvania/Central-York-business-operations-committee-reviews-updated-budget-projections-staff-proposes-raising-tax-increase-to-25-for-buffer","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094423-a691e5e3e1723da57e796e370f5ac1dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135767&Signature=MVI8IJaCoK-iyj5RINRe5JmQ44uPrzka8eQwQBRHkCo5joX6VU127Xe75F85ZUzFHpYxzx~TLASrUxDpJap7POdFgROjDL9q67Sucli29FcHy0TKSd4JViVGBl1i-JsM3GOx6bsYyM5S8tiPsl1RlqJ~xcHr61oi-nfSiziB5YTbiAqNcHUWE1JN7E1a-qnA2uVDmf8GZcKMfuwpmHxA68AgMlx-qHEP7Ygwl0~JLdnoXxxqyKUEiBgJL9qM4nrPdmecssdQCfqm69Q-jybDPDAz5Xl9u4DqYk2qFkp7dOaeYAbmoVdKGlBG2k8O5uH9OrbSLOAhK352j-LsqgtBuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Central York School District","date","2025-04-01T12:01:37Z","article","Central York School District business staff presented updated revenue and expense projections for the current fiscal year and a draft budget for 2025–26, citing a mix of one‑time adjustments and ongoing trends that affect the district’s fund balance.

The update matters because staff said a combination of a sizeable pending tax appeal, rising utility capacity charges and changing transportation routing has altered revenue and expense expectations for 2024–25 and could affect the recommended tax‑rate decision for 2025–26.

Staff reported several key items: a pending York Galleria tax appeal that staff listed as a $172,000 liability in the projection and said staff have asked the property owner’s counsel to accept a 10% early‑payment discount (negotiations ongoing); an increase in transportation subsidy tied to improved vehicle capacity utilization — staff said consolidated routes raised average ridership on vans and buses and projected an additional roughly $1.3 million in subsidy for the current year; and higher electric capacity charges from the regional market that a vendor warned could add about $150,000 to next year’s budget. Staff also added modest increases for special education agency costs and a server replacement for backup infrastructure.

Because of these and other adjustments, staff said the district’s projected ending fund balance for 2024–25 is up roughly $4.2 million (bringing projected total fund balance near $12 million) but recommended caution. Staff told the committee they had originally proposed a 1.75% tax‑rate increase; after incorporating recent changes they recommended the board consider a higher 2.5% increase to provide a larger buffer against continued uncertainties such as additional tax appeals or state funding changes.

Staff outlined that the technology financing discussed earlier fits within the proposed tech budget and that the revised 2025–26 revenue projection in staff’s model is about $117 million with proposed expenses near $115 million; under the proposed 2.5% tax increase staff projected a proposed increase to fund balance of about $1.8 million for 2025–26. Staff noted that a potential cyber‑charter payment reform being discussed at the state level could produce larger future savings (staff modeled an example saving more than $800,000 under one proposed reform scenario), but that state actions remained uncertain.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about specific line items, and staff provided operational detail: how the transportation subsidy is calculated (vehicle age, miles with/without students, and average daily ridership), the reason for the server replacement, and the timing of PSSA testing-related tech purchases. A member complimented the business office on timely, transparent updates.

No formal budget adoption or tax‑rate decision occurred at the committee meeting; staff said they will continue to refine projections and present the full budget to the board, and that final tax‑rate decisions will follow the full board process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Business and Operations Committee Meeting 3/31/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The district’s business office presented updated 2024–25 projections and a 2025–26 budget draft that factors in a likely York Galleria tax appeal, higher utility capacity charges and an increased transportation subsidy; staff recommended considering a 2.5% tax increase to maintain a stronger fund balance amid uncertainties.","taxTitle","Central York SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",38371,"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},6094429,"Central York committee reviews Apple iPad lease/purchase to replace high‑school laptops; committee forwards proposal to full board",1541,1937000,3478000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2844303-15a35b69b9762d55dace343af18850a5&start=1937&end=3478","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2844303-15a35b69b9762d55dace343af18850a5/thumbnail_1937000.jpg","/articles/6094429/Pennsylvania/Central-York-committee-reviews-Apple-iPad-leasepurchase-to-replace-highschool-laptops-committee-forwards-proposal-to-full-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094429-d2f5e41ab1a4ffced32ba5474fbcbadb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135767&Signature=H3CjjLURNmMTS0q0IAx0dqNiQduHGiVEHH-94fRfqftaejbYuBDFpZPg8byVKyyaqhpfYIdt8wvSckHMY6QoB1i1Nj7ce7nl51jZEdnFwYAaJVX2OgDwKrUYztvU~SSb2B2NqY3ixIny46ltCToo2IgiMpuz1nBfoa4aFwZYb2A-yBtLn4dYHJjyTCbLCupsRY3wT0KzWh2rjBIvYGjLasaaZROwz7wRXGgUmOjEUvLSRuLhS~7px99aThYntyRuckyd~K5tAso7izgZXAjWJL73bNFUoHT-zaPL67crCzBRd2zHBXa7QZ4O-BH7z4A-Z7cMFGwvKsIEfqjI-km8sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Central York School District staff presented a proposal to move from MacBook Air student laptops to iPad 11 devices for selected grades, using an Apple financing arrangement that staff said would be paid from the district’s current technology budget and would produce near‑term budget savings.

The proposal matters because the district has two remaining payments on the current MacBook Air fleet and reported high annual repair costs; staff said the Apple agreement would restructure device payments, add AppleCare support, and reduce projected repair spending.

A staff presenter summarized the technology case and the financing terms. The presenter said the district still faces two remaining laptop payments totaling about $740,000 over the next two years and that Apple had offered a “take‑all” buyback that staff negotiated to a locked amount of $420,000. The presenter said the buyback proceeds and the new Apple financing would be folded into a four‑year payment plan: an estimated $450,141 in payments across the first two years and roughly $410,019 in years three and four, all paid from the existing tech budget (approximately $1.2 million annually). The presenter also said the proposal includes four years of AppleCare for the new iPads and that staff expect to save roughly $50,000 a year in repairs by switching device platforms.

Staff proposed expanding the originally discussed grades from 9–12 to include grades 4–6. The presenter said adding grades 4–6 avoids an estimated additional $60,000 purchase of wired keyboards that would be required for state testing (PSSA) for grades 4–6 next year if the devices were not refreshed. The presenter said adding those grades increases upfront device costs but is fiscally preferable to one‑time keyboard purchases and to staging a future refresh.

Director of Technology Joe Lucia was cited by staff as having tested iPads and endorsed their functionality for management and classroom uses; staff also showed examples and testimonials of iPad use in other districts and industries. The presenter said the district’s middle school devices have been durable under current cases, and staff expect similar durability and faster replacement turnaround because AppleCare would provide 24–48 hour device replacement services.

On financing and timing, staff said the district has a signed conditional contract with Apple contingent on board approval and that, once approved, Apple indicated devices would arrive within two to three weeks. Staff proposed giving high‑school teachers iPads on the May 16 in‑service day and described a student collection and redistribution plan for the summer. The presenter said the plan fits within the existing 2025–26 tech budget and estimated the device payments would represent roughly 35% of the tech budget in the first two years and about 31.8% in years three and four.

Committee members asked technical and fiscal questions: whether the district would still owe the current laptop obligation (staff said the $420,000 buyback would be applied toward the $740,000 obligation and the new schedule would be structured to retire the laptop debt), whether the proposal included AppleCare (yes), what model is proposed (iPad 11, the same model used in the middle school), and whether the plan would affect district taxes (staff said it would not and that payments would come from the technology line item). The presenter also described secondary options — a behind‑the‑meter/power purchase agreement for solar was discussed earlier in the meeting but is unrelated to this item.

Following discussion, a committee member said, “Bob's committee decides. Send it to the board,” and the committee agreed to place the Apple purchase/finance agreement on the full board’s April agenda for consideration. Staff asked whether the full board would like the committee-level presentation repeated at the board meeting; several members said that would be helpful.

The committee did not take a final purchasing vote; it referred the proposed Apple financing and device purchase to the full school board and requested that supporting materials and the presentation accompany the April agenda.","District staff proposed replacing high‑school MacBook Airs with iPad 11 devices for multiple grades using an Apple financing agreement; staff said the deal would eliminate a pending $740,000 laptop obligation by applying a $420,000 buyback and spread payments over four years, and the committee agreed to forward the item to the board for approval.",{"_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},6094433,"Developer Forefront Power proposes 26-acre solar lease to Central York SD, estimates $78,000 a year in rent",1577,319000,1896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2844303-15a35b69b9762d55dace343af18850a5&start=319&end=1896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2844303-15a35b69b9762d55dace343af18850a5/thumbnail_319000.jpg","/articles/6094433/Pennsylvania/Developer-Forefront-Power-proposes-26-acre-solar-lease-to-Central-York-SD-estimates-78000-a-year-in-rent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094433-6a607d36f637582f2154c798e6a38576/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135767&Signature=Ri3qasH-rWoVHyYJz3f97yyFQ4x0IEnfTxX3cMRvQPWxozd33D8IGvIbopf~bbOICMocOOygLp5hw3i4iwujeYMUpqJgEbdKv65xlpNN8mL~T9afGBrsco3At9Fp6jJS45NIZYIG9vcImEDjrqZ2I6AQo7VX1FFzZVRim06EIS5yDZjZkXfent3l-RWVsKtpL-zJflXSCWjLJza3YeWDE-44w8kWmZGUqhlzCq9QCvUcfy0CNYo6pEGvmcqG~pQfPFNkzGefXbpkSCAybt-dv~r9Q5rqfcyD88KGNN7Vr~-~KFYq1gpaDJ-47Z50UGATGrsi1gonvMjWxWpoB1No0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forefront Power representatives proposed leasing about 26 acres of Central York School District land to build two ground-mounted solar arrays, offering the district $3,000 per acre in the first year and an annual 2% escalation.

The proposal matters because it would produce recurring lease revenue for the district while requiring no capital outlay from the school district: Forefront said it would cover development, permitting, operation, maintenance and decommissioning costs and would run an option-to-lease due‑diligence period before any long-term lease.

Armand Shikori, a sales associate at Forefront Power, said the company initially identified two district-owned parcels and narrowed the proposal to a maintenance-area parcel with two buildable footprints. Victoria Maroney, who manages Forefront Power’s Pennsylvania distributed solar portfolio, said engineers estimate a combined 5-megawatt footprint split as a 2-MW northern site (~11 acres) and a 3-MW southern site (~15 acres). Maroney added that the utility maximum interconnection at this scale is 3 megawatts, so the firm would structure the work as two separate projects if both move forward.

Forefront outlined commercial terms the company said it would seek in an option and lease: an initial three-year due‑diligence option (during which Forefront would make quarterly due‑diligence payments and perform surveys, geotechnical work and interconnection studies), followed by a 25‑year lease and a typical five‑year extension (30 years total). Forefront’s materials cited a $3,000 per‑acre rate on roughly 26 acres as producing about $78,000 in the first year, with the 2% annual escalator thereafter. The company said the largest development hurdles are interconnection with the local utility (Met-Ed) and permitting through Manchester Township.

District committee members pressed Forefront on multiple local concerns. A committee member noted that a parcel behind the high school is partly in a 100‑year floodplain, which Forefront’s engineer said would make development more costly and could complicate insurance. Committee members also raised long‑term land‑use concerns if the district needs to expand facilities; several said they worried a long lease could limit future school expansion. Forefront said the company commonly uses landscape buffers and can pare site size to reduce visual impacts adjacent to homes, and that decommissioning obligations are written into its leases so future owners are contractually responsible for removing equipment.

Forefront emphasized the company’s financing backing — Mitsui — and said the project would place power onto the local distribution grid rather than selling electricity directly to the district. Maroney described the proposal as a “front‑of‑the‑meter” interconnection: the district would receive lease payments and potential property‑tax revenue and could negotiate optional community benefits, but would not directly buy power from the array in the offered structure.

Committee members asked whether the district could later pursue a power purchase or behind‑the‑meter arrangement that would provide bill savings; Forefront said it can propose both models but had presented a simpler lease-first structure for initial consideration. Forefront also said it would work with the district on options if the district later wants to procure power or adjust the arrangement.

No formal action or vote occurred at the committee meeting; Forefront’s presentation concluded with the company offering to provide additional engineering, insurance and lease‑language details as the district requested. The committee did not commit to a site or authorize staff to execute documents during the meeting.

The presentation will be part of the record sent with the committee minutes; Forefront representatives said they are available for follow‑up meetings or further negotiations.","Forefront Power presented a proposal to lease ~26 acres of Central York School District land for ground-mounted solar, offering $3,000 per acre with a 30-year term and a three-year due-diligence option; district members raised concerns about floodplain, future expansion and visual impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Central York business operations committee reviews updated budget projections; staff proposes raising tax increase to 2.5% for buffer

Central York committee reviews Apple iPad lease/purchase to replace high‑school laptops; committee forwards proposal to full board

Developer Forefront Power proposes 26-acre solar lease to Central York SD, estimates $78,000 a year in rent