[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6610002,"mediaKeyId","2905135-032b5cee3ac92f727b1bb491d066dcd3","parentId",2905135,"title","Chambersburg Area SD outlines $212 million spending plan, board signals higher tax path to shore up debt and capital","audioSeconds",8918,"startMs",633000,"endMs",9551000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905135-032b5cee3ac92f727b1bb491d066dcd3&start=633&end=9551","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905135-032b5cee3ac92f727b1bb491d066dcd3/thumbnail_633000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6610002/Pennsylvania/Chambersburg-Area-SD-outlines-212-million-spending-plan-board-signals-higher-tax-path-to-shore-up-debt-and-capital","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610002-233abb72a4f65b59497ae94ded6881d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179714&Signature=LFB19O4rTVGQCx-9D7MDV~TIylfkl5W~ih7NbI9q6IC-3rFEkgLnMcLwq4EyuTAzPo15uu2kTVx3lkG6qHpNVK2SNtNJs-D3WFw1-8eV0VRfSPCzdZ4ivBKgzE2yUg2W7ooOIRYBMvqQP~MVuTM98EsGutXG~vMDapOSeQDRTKiAdCIXsDatgGL0lmENFN5Emzidk6SiHhw-X5j3X6MfMsPfgbJ8UcBYLnvTk0wTzxgajkttAi~3~v2NZ8Mc0lkS6RFTGPFBgqPfJWMqpZrRTK175vGs-I3RkSOXAYukbLPj-cgFNXDRDG3k~LKN82oh0uTYKbLgMzvbipoL61lbmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chambersburg Area School District","date","2025-04-09T02:23:36.717Z","article","The Chambersburg Area School District on April 8 presented a proposed final 2025–26 budget projecting just over $209 million in revenue against $212 million in spending and a planned deficit near 2.9 percent.

The proposed budget, presented by business manager Diana Stauffer, also includes recurring interfund transfers the district has made in recent years — including transfers into healthcare, capital reserve and future debt-service funds — and a line item to continue the board’s “plus 1” strategy that parks a portion of annual tax increases for capital and debt needs.

Stauffer told the board, “we have a total revenue of just a little over $209,000,000. This is a milestone in that we broke the $200,000,000 mark, and our total expenditures will be $212,000,000.” She identified built-in cost drivers including projected pay increases, benefit increases and additional positions, and said the budget assumes a 98 percent collection rate and an Act 1 adjusted index of 5.3 percent.

Why it matters: The district is simultaneously planning for several large building projects, and board members and staff described a need to balance near-term operating pressures with ongoing efforts to accumulate recurring revenue for future debt-service payments.

Administrators proposed keeping the structure of the current approach — a modest operating tax increase plus a recurring “plus x” transfer that grows the capital and debt-service funds — but several board members pushed for a higher operating adjustment than the 2 percent the administration had used for planning. Board discussion focused on two linked choices: (1) how much of next year’s tax rate should fund operations, and (2) how much should be reserved to build recurring debt-service capacity ahead of planned borrowings.

Financial adviser John Fry of Public Financial Management (PFM) briefed the board on borrowing timing and affordability. Fry said the district is considering phased borrowing to support multiple projects and noted a short-term plan to issue a relatively small, bank-qualified borrowing of roughly $10 million this fall to begin architect and design work and to manage interest-rate risk.

Board direction: After wide-ranging discussion about conservatism in budgeting and the need to pre-fund debt-service obligations, board members asked staff to prepare the final budget for board approval in June with a higher operating increase than the staff’s draft. Business manager Diana Stauffer summarized the change: “I’m hearing build a 3% budget to bring in as the final budget,” and to reduce the initially planned automatic capital transfer in 2025–26 from $4,500,000 to $2,000,000 while maintaining additional debt-service funding. The board did not record a formal roll-call vote on the floor that night; staff were directed to present revised numbers at the next meeting.

Budget details and clarifications presented at the meeting
- Projected 2025–26 revenues: just over $209,000,000 (Stauffer)
- Projected 2025–26 expenditures: approximately $212,000,000 (Stauffer)
- Forecasted operating deficit (before adjustments): about 2.9 percent of the budget (Stauffer)
- Assigned and committed fund balances were discussed as sources to smooth shortfalls; staff described a committed fund balance earmarked for taxpayer relief of roughly $9 million and an assigned fund balance in the tens of millions.
- Interfund transfers already completed this fiscal year, as presented by staff, included about $3,500,000 to healthcare, $4,000,000 to capital reserve and $4,000,000 to future debt service. Stauffer and board members emphasized these transfers and future choices are subject to final audited results and board approval.

What’s next: Staff will revise the proposed final budget to reflect the board’s direction, circulate updated numbers before the May display period and return in June with a final budget for adoption. The board also asked staff and PFM to refine multi-year projections for debt service and to model the effect of the higher operating increase on the district’s long-term glide path for borrowing and capital work.

Ending: The district is balancing near-term operating pressures against a multiyear debt plan that would increase debt-service payments over the next several years; board members signaled they prefer a slightly higher operating increase in 2025–26 to preserve capacity for capital and debt needs while maintaining conservative reserves.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 8, 2025 Committee Of The Whole Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Chambersburg Area School District on April 8 presented a proposed final 2025–26 budget projecting just over $209 million in revenue against $212 million in spending and a planned deficit near 2.9 percent.","taxTitle","Chambersburg Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",38269,"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},6609993,"District staff outline 'grow-your-own' teacher preparation pathway for students and paraprofessionals",2408,6540000,8948000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905135-032b5cee3ac92f727b1bb491d066dcd3&start=6540&end=8948","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905135-032b5cee3ac92f727b1bb491d066dcd3/thumbnail_6540000.jpg","/articles/6609993/Pennsylvania/District-staff-outline-grow-your-own-teacher-preparation-pathway-for-students-and-paraprofessionals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609993-1203519da4c643615a40c8665738891e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179714&Signature=a0jqqQKukGKV4A8qfkQEWXkHvMGkVJ~dcV1Bx4GWIz2hn1lHPlmHNl0H8HKCutpfNjvtw5DhhN7PW7QzdX8oA4BpcOsJpMdr1OON7~E3wBc9XjdbLwUpANNHR2pe-dzdwkFcHzv5Ss6gxUowPke7NOcmOw8d2yx56qOk75wYuw7mlB44L3qpD~8rpcaovt3KIqdKb0Fx8PQWxBrPHRwq51sH6fXQOSl-w-UCpchUPhUc99oo3Teo9k5onAOxlZvwe2cjO2IZ1kP-nxYLZTVIiHns4cpftz87QBd3TssYod8CvWF-PxtaliiDs81NDwahv~bhtEMzBRh~a0QL86No9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff on April 8 presented a draft “teacher preparation” or “grow-your-own” program to help Chambersburg Area School District students and employees move toward teacher certification and employment with the district.

Crystal Lautenslager, who led the presentation, said the plan has three stages: (1) high school exposure through academic courses, dual enrollment and classroom observations in grades 10–12, (2) continued college coursework with an employment-linked internship or part-time paraprofessional role so candidates can work for the district while completing a degree, and (3) final certification and hiring preferences for participants who return to the district after graduation.

“Those students’ senior year, they've had this key student internship with a classroom teacher in a classroom in the district,” Lautenslager said. “That when they get to step two, they're still going to college … but they're going to also still have some part time hours with us as a CASD employee.”

The draft program targets three groups: high school students (grades 10–12), current paraeducators/teacher assistants, and district employees with a bachelor’s degree who may pursue a post-baccalaureate teaching track. Lautenslager emphasized existing local assets — dual-enrollment partnerships, a small FCCTC early-childhood enrollment, and district co-op experiences — and said the next step is formalizing external higher-education partnerships to offer teacher-core coursework.

Board members and staff discussed program details including credit-transfer opportunities, incentives and potential tuition-reimbursement strategies to encourage participants to return to the district. Lautenslager said staff will meet with higher-education partners to refine the pathway and examine options that could allow participating students to enter college with 15–20 credits toward a teaching degree.

Why it matters: Districts nationwide face teacher shortages, and locally the program is intended to strengthen recruitment and diversify the applicant pool by creating in-district pathways into teaching for students and current support staff.

Next steps: Administration will continue discussions with local colleges and universities, finalize the pathway document and identify pilots (for example, expanding FCCTC partnerships and summer internships) to start implementation.

Ending: Administrators said the proposal is a draft framework meant to be refined with higher-education partners and district stakeholders before a pilot launch.","District staff on April 8 presented a draft 'grow-your-own' teacher-preparation pathway that would combine high-school dual-enrollment, senior-year internships and college partnerships to build future local teacher hires.",{"_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},6609997,"District shows multi-year borrowing plan and site options for middle-school consolidation; architects favor Cam South for new build",4038,2622000,6660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905135-032b5cee3ac92f727b1bb491d066dcd3&start=2622&end=6660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905135-032b5cee3ac92f727b1bb491d066dcd3/thumbnail_2622000.jpg","/articles/6609997/Pennsylvania/District-shows-multi-year-borrowing-plan-and-site-options-for-middle-school-consolidation-architects-favor-Cam-South-for-new-build","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609997-c2f4cc37674e24bdecfca027c92ba05b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179714&Signature=iYDoPcDcfkkdqp97omg-M4VQV2-WdJ2ac64ZRPzrENqz20LTME5-Gba63gxtYdVAY2ACsIwwmZ5t-prdgECJzU8CC408cySUPA6Bmj7qHvsMd4abZheRPCsT6gZmR9LTaa9KQjojrx9lfBCqaAUul3QIMitYZi2NFZYkSt7xyYYEPzB1lNsay-Uqz8SH8lnx2nwQ9VwCGGcK1oJ2ajnvgd32DkNfx5lwUVQADeuGpOJbBNpRTluOEJ07m0gBmkM978LJYlT~U6c-UBd35oKO9CVphe~j9iRndIFrtEcX3H2KdtPdaWnVX5YAJNyiEEKWJC3SEApWvectTessDUMAYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chambersburg Area School District staff and financial consultants told the board on April 8 they are planning a phased borrowing program to support multiple school construction projects and presented site concepts that favor building a new middle school at the CAM South campus.

John Fry of Public Financial Management (PFM) described a multi-step borrowing scenario that the district and advisers are testing; Fry said the district is considering staged bond issues with a relatively small, bank-qualified borrowing in the fall to fund design and early work, then larger borrowings in 2026–28. Fry summarized the top-line view: “we're anticipating for now, sometime this fall ... borrowing approximately $10,000,000 to get some more money into your account so you can start paying for architects and design, and you can get things moving.”

The long-range plan presented by Fry showed total long-term borrowing estimates that advisers modeled up to roughly $200 million to cover a series of projects. Fry cautioned the board about market volatility and described how phased borrowing can limit interest-rate risk. He also showed projected debt-service payments rising from about $12 million annually today to roughly $26 million at peak years before dropping substantially in the late 2030s as older debt matures.

At the same meeting, district facilities staff and outside architects from RLPS presented comparative analyses for the district’s two middle-school campuses. RLPS presented two distinct new-building concepts for the CAM South site: a two-story classroom configuration (Concept A) and a three-story configuration (Concept B). The three-story plan has a smaller footprint, reorients vehicle circulation and locates the proposed artificial turf and track at the rear of the site; presenters said it also creates flexibility for phasing construction while CAM South remains in operation.

Consultants and staff said the CAM South site offers operational advantages because it sits within walking distance of the district’s high school and has larger acreage (about 39 acres) compared with CAM North (about 25 acres). Proponents noted potential benefits for shared athletics, easier student movement between grades and reduced district transportation costs. RLPS and staff also described renovation/addition schemes for CAM North and CAM South as lower-cost alternatives; presenters cautioned those options would be more intrusive to existing buildings and would not deliver the same long-term lifecycle benefits as a new build.

Why it matters: The choice between renovating existing schools or building a new facility will materially change the district’s borrowing needs and timetable. Staff framed the analysis in multi-decade terms: a major renovation may extend a building's useful life by about 30 years, whereas a new build is intended to last 50 years or more.

Next steps: Staff said they will continue to refine the capital plan, incorporate board feedback and return with cost estimates, phasing options and refined borrowing timetables. The board asked advisers and staff to model financing scenarios for different build/renovation combinations and present the affordability tradeoffs as work proceeds.

Ending: Administrators and consultants described the bond and site analyses as works in progress and said the next steps would be a sequence of refined cost estimates, civic engagement and formal budget and borrowing approvals.","Advisers and staff outlined a phased borrowing plan that could total about $200 million to support a series of building projects. Consultants presented two new-build concepts for a 7–8 middle school at the Cam South site and evaluated additions/renovations at CAM North and CAM South.",{"_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},6609989,"Superintendent reports federal reviews, praises state adequacy-gap funding for district",174,132000,306000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905135-032b5cee3ac92f727b1bb491d066dcd3&start=132&end=306","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905135-032b5cee3ac92f727b1bb491d066dcd3/thumbnail_132000.jpg","/articles/6609989/Pennsylvania/Superintendent-reports-federal-reviews-praises-state-adequacy-gap-funding-for-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609989-7522559052a7c4caba61c91210d65c63/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179714&Signature=FG-IWFODvqjm5vqbFTVl2oT~LflK2kD-C4oaMBSFecn8oc7QYSbC7f0ZNF4b1ZX9W7Abut8H8LrORJkZxcLX3UL59546smrO8hO23LlqNHBz8ZZCO4Q-WdmD9J6g3N69tgDMiPNA6GTYn0Xff54bQM8HdEmuZHssbfGdqvga4jXtzp-mOtdfrtIratqddpgijnB0VsZ4gi06S6rqiA28G~6nIXaekTwWi9bW2MXowO5HJSIJez8yrADt3-X-0BYFAgZu1WbK4Xi7TpJOiyZRbOqVQWrXxii7JMF8tk-d894pfIL6rqEa8HGW09ma7sZbBXYaESpSnmcHIuQf-o39cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Chris Bigger opened the board’s public session with an update on federal and state communications and on how recent state funding decisions are shaping the district’s capital planning.

Bigger said the district has received communications from the U.S. Department of Education in three areas: a civil-rights communication dated April 3, a March 28 letter regarding Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds and extensions, and a March 31 letter about Title I funds and school choice. He said district counsel and the state are reviewing the federal communications and the district is waiting for final guidance before signing any agreements or taking actions in response.

At the state level, Bigger highlighted the Pennsylvania adequacy-gap funding distributed after the state Supreme Court ruled the prior funding formula was inadequate. He said, “the adequacy gap money for Chambersburg [is] at $8,200,000 and a proposed 5 more million for next year,” and that the new state dollars are enabling plans to pursue larger building and grade reconfiguration work with less impact on local property-tax revenue.

Bigger also noted other possible state budget changes the district is watching, including basic education and special-education funding, and efforts at cyber-charter reform that could reduce district payments for cyber-schools if the state adopts a per-student cap.

Why it matters: Federal compliance reviews and federal grant deadlines can impose reporting and spending requirements; state facility and formula dollars materially affect what the district can afford to repair and build without increasing local taxes.

Next steps: The superintendent said the administration is awaiting solicitor guidance and final state guidance on federal contacts and will return to the board with recommendations once the legal and policy statuses are clear.

Ending: Bigger closed by thanking the state for aid and urging continued collaboration among teachers, administrators and the board to focus on classroom instruction and student outcomes.","Superintendent Chris Bigger told the board the district has received three federal communications — on civil rights, ESSER spending and Title I school choice — and is awaiting guidance from the state and local solicitor. He also highlighted new state 'adequacy gap' funds totaling about $8.2 million for Chambersburg and a possible additional $5","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chambersburg Area SD outlines $212 million spending plan, board signals higher tax path to shore up debt and capital

District staff outline 'grow-your-own' teacher preparation pathway for students and paraprofessionals

District shows multi-year borrowing plan and site options for middle-school consolidation; architects favor Cam South for new build

Superintendent reports federal reviews, praises state adequacy-gap funding for district