[{"_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",6254111,"mediaKeyId","3176413-1755088450742bb6dd94ad08de825cee","parentId",3176413,"title","Committee recommends discontinuing zoning appeal for transportation facility, will pursue legislative/zoning path and continue property search","audioSeconds",452,"startMs",2876000,"endMs",3328000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176413-1755088450742bb6dd94ad08de825cee&start=2876&end=3328","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176413-1755088450742bb6dd94ad08de825cee/thumbnail_2876000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6254111/Pennsylvania/Committee-recommends-discontinuing-zoning-appeal-for-transportation-facility-will-pursue-legislativezoning-path-and-continue-property-search","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254111-4fa3a11eab405842f2bbda91e97ca9b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770897216&Signature=fWBleiphjXaO1jdiQGuenxpcezdVv3bmmGZrdnQmrf3bb2GOvH9pZRd5e0yKWtt9Nqofpi-1tCch4yHtIiRQCdE6eGILZ6ER9hFxTNFCs9z4CucnMcCCNWE8ZKP860Vb-oC1dspFm6uKuKEk9LkcjgnYo0nfe0xhP2hY4rdWmCfTyylsEX58uUiD3JRmcdoIkyVrAqAxIMgeQRqCHSvbglGWa-Jri2c5s9mkkI~lj95eprTtN0QigvkL86wHgXbW2zFg0cJ0-Lz0KXgI7deFMEa93ykt5tgz-muidXLKj9aIY2b0Yq5AjJ3MTvDUglpGtMuUS47Cz4OxhpuKDo25lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Upper Dublin School District","date","2025-05-02T05:37:48.547Z","article","The Upper Dublin School District Finance Committee on April 23 recommended discontinuing the district’s pending zoning‑hearing‑board appeal over a proposed transportation facility and said it will pursue a legislative/zoning solution while continuing a district‑wide search for alternative properties.

Administration reported it had filed an initial statement of appeal and received the zoning hearing board’s decision. Committee members said the board’s written decision described “irreconcilable conflicts” in the existing zoning ordinance and specifically recommended a legislative solution to allow the school district’s proposed use. Based on that language the committee advised discontinuing the appeal and initiating a formal dialogue with township officials to clarify what ordinance or zoning changes might permit a transportation facility.

The administration said it would file the necessary court paperwork to discontinue the appeal and directed Superintendent Dr. Smith to begin conversations with the township manager and zoning officer about next steps and the legislative process. Committee members emphasized that pursuing a legislative remedy does not remove other paths: the district also released an RFP for real‑estate services to identify potential off‑site properties and will continue evaluating district‑owned parcels as part of the search.

Committee members and administration noted the Delaware Avenue property remains among parcels being considered but said the property is largely in the floodplain and would need detailed study; no parcel was identified as settled or guaranteed to be suitable. Administrators also confirmed earlier direction to begin talks about extending or renewing the current off‑site lease for the bus facility as an interim measure while searches and zoning discussions continue.

The committee asked administration to place discontinuation of the appeal on the board’s legislative meeting agenda for a formal vote; administration said the solicitor will prepare language for next Monday’s meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","UDSD Finance Committee Meeting (4/23/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The Upper Dublin School District Finance Committee recommended discontinuing the district’s zoning‑hearing‑board appeal tied to a proposed transportation facility and to pursue zoning changes with township officials while continuing a district‑wide property search.","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},6254116,"Upper Dublin budget: administration recommends 4% property‑tax increase; committee moves several staffing requests to board agenda",2912,3993000,6905000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176413-1755088450742bb6dd94ad08de825cee&start=3993&end=6905","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176413-1755088450742bb6dd94ad08de825cee/thumbnail_3993000.jpg","/articles/6254116/Pennsylvania/Upper-Dublin-budget-administration-recommends-4-propertytax-increase-committee-moves-several-staffing-requests-to-board-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254116-504b395baae9fb24257d2a6c4a5492e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770897216&Signature=g4LPxdU97rYoqAoLf4wKM1WxpkjPDOXlOhvMz~LKcLfL69Yw0SHCeScrKq~ddHce~Jy2GasY38tbUi7~QIRuvylXgQxa3eIgTU03AeRLFxSrbxWcdl3G4Tlox~P4~9XgrrMjgyAJS-wCJ7GmMs3Vdz1pyDblFbShJ3PV2VW1jCOtjbFQRlkJASXxKu3bia3neLekw1ersQD~7w9ilsAhN9jqciXY-X1JVcO0zuzyfyuC7gmrJgq8ikCK7q-iANEZxk~Zem-PMjqMaSOKF2GpBcAmJaVFTScyHAjjOxjkF0i5vp4HJ~qVj3Kq0YNp-IoyFAKBWQoRJRf-wpo~Vdq7Bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Upper Dublin School District administration presented its draft 2025–26 expenditure budget to the finance committee on April 23 and outlined staffing priorities, cost drivers and next steps toward a final budget in June.

Administration described a $127 million expenditure plan that, including a recommended $3 million transfer to the capital reserve, produces a projected operating shortfall of about $2.5 million against a beginning fund balance of roughly $9 million and a projected ending balance near $6.57 million (about 5.2% of budgeted expenditures). The administration recommended a 4% property‑tax increase in the draft budget; staff said the district’s Act 1 index for next year is 4% and noted limits on annual tax increases.

Personnel costs make up roughly 72% of the proposed budget. Administration highlighted several cost trends driving the draft budget: PSERS (state pension) contributions are projected at a roughly 34% contribution rate next year (producing a net employer cost of about $9.7 million after state reimbursement), health‑care premiums were modeled with a 5.2% rate increase, and special‑education expenditures have grown sharply (district reporting showed roughly a 23% increase in students with individualized education programs over the recent four years, from 681 to 840).

As part of the staffing review, the administration asked the committee to advance a set of prioritized positions. The top four priorities were three special‑education positions (including an 18–22 transition teacher, an elementary autistic‑support classroom teacher, and a middle‑school emotional‑support teacher) plus one board‑certified behavior analyst (BCBA). Administration said those four positions would be largely budget‑neutral after offsets: bringing the 18–22 program in‑district would eliminate an estimated $320,000 intermediate‑unit contract cost and contracting for RBTs could be reduced, producing net savings in the illustrative scenario.

The committee voted to forward the four prioritized special‑education requests to the April 28 legislative meeting for board action so administrators can post and interview candidates before July. The group also agreed to include two budget‑neutral changes — restructuring a 10‑month guidance supervisor into a 12‑month supervisor of student services and a food‑services culinary coordinator paid from the food service fund — on next week’s agenda, since those do not increase general‑fund cost.

Committee discussion touched on additional proposed positions (two secondary instructional coaches and an additional school‑security officer); administrators said the coaches would help classroom practice and teacher induction at the secondary level and that the SSO would provide an additional shift at Sandy Run Middle School to cover lunchtime and after‑school activities. Committee members asked that administration return in May with refined enrollment projections (kindergarten registrations were noted as up in March), secondary course‑section requests and potential offsets before bringing any additional hires forward.

Administration reiterated that the draft budget includes a $3 million transfer to capital reserve to fund identified district projects and that some or all of that transfer could be re‑evaluated as the budget is finalized to manage the projected deficit. Staff said the district’s projected surplus for the current fiscal year (about $4.45 million) provides flexibility but recommended caution before changing capital funding commitments. The committee scheduled continued review in May and aims for final budget adoption in June.","The Upper Dublin School District administration presented its draft 2025–26 expenditure budget and recommended a 4% property‑tax increase; the finance committee forwarded four prioritized special‑education positions to the April 28 legislative agenda for board consideration.",{"_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},6254120,"Upper Dublin reviews Jarrett Town elementary financing scenarios as community input arrives",350,46000,396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176413-1755088450742bb6dd94ad08de825cee&start=46&end=396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176413-1755088450742bb6dd94ad08de825cee/thumbnail_46000.jpg","/articles/6254120/Pennsylvania/Upper-Dublin-reviews-Jarrett-Town-elementary-financing-scenarios-as-community-input-arrives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254120-a760666f7baaab0adf98c75464436e56/orig.mp4?Expires=1770897216&Signature=NYgVXXutefE64HRTV1ct-YA9wSqFTByijczt5BLHnHksaGz18RTsRZvgf-clQgqJXdIiYaVhlg56QbRyWzrIwcv1y1L8CC3WnIX8QbUhQhhi~yrnMOSNJigDJINpXEbJ8lwz6n~d3MNvO~6jgsMmOeerTYsYufZafLWU2WoynjBPUumTTyY6n57mSC7pdQLD3YT~LkU3VTgr9B-D3obIhsPgTJjKSXvYHoBlhU26RdB~LMezHkktb~aR8qwQEHPqZZOJuAZTdKoUihJWeAbB3i6YgClFTfpszSqACUvSEoWR84nphfksdYlu8SB1l5r2FnZU4DfztdicGKYNYsQdXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Upper Dublin School District Finance Committee on April 23 reviewed community feedback on the Jarrett Town Elementary project and preliminary financing scenarios that show wide differences in tax and debt-service impacts depending on the scope of work.

Administrators told the committee an open house on March 27 drew full attendance and an 85-response community survey. Respondents most often cited HVAC and systems, ADA improvements, and upgrades to common spaces such as gym and cafeteria; many favored a new building but expressed concerns about tax impact.

Finance staff presented four project concepts ranging from systems refresh to a new building, and used two illustrative borrowings — $35 million and $70 million — to show the likely budget effect. PFM Financial Advisor Jamie Doyle walked the committee through a three-step issuance strategy, sampling bank-qualified and non‑bank‑qualified tranches and calendar-year phasing to manage debt-service impact and IRS tax‑exempt rules.

PFM’s high‑level sketches put the $35 million scenario at roughly a 1.2‑mill equivalent phased over multiple years; the $70 million example was roughly 2.18 mills. Administration estimated a worst‑case annual debt‑service increase of about $2.8 million for a $35 million plan (roughly a 3.11% tax increase if paid entirely by taxes) and about $5 million for $70 million (about a 5.65% tax increase if paid entirely by taxes). Those are illustrative outcomes the administration said would be refined with a construction draw schedule and a final financing plan.

Administrators emphasized other funding levers that would reduce borrowing: roughly $11 million in capital‑reserve amounts identified for Jarrett Town; a planned $3 million annual transfer from the general fund to capital reserve already in the draft budget; and a district debt‑service fund balance of about $5 million that could be used strategically. The district’s legal borrowing capacity was presented as roughly $185 million (a statutory calculation tied to multi‑year average revenues), not a recommendation of that amount.

PFM advised the committee on mechanics important to tax‑exempt borrowing: that IRS guidance generally expects 85% of proceeds to be spent within three years and a substantial binding obligation entered within six months of settlement, and recommended a parameters resolution to allow market timing flexibility when refunding or selling bonds. PFM also reviewed the district’s outstanding bond issues (Series 2018, 2019, 2020), noting call dates and where refunding windows might open if markets provide at least about 2% net savings.

Committee members pressed on options to limit tax impact, including using capital‑reserve funds and debt‑service funds to smooth early years of new debt service, and asked PFM about the district’s historic 2% net savings target for refundings. The committee indicated it was comfortable pursuing parameters resolutions to position the district if market windows open and asked administration and PFM to return with refined numbers and a recommended final funding plan ahead of a June recommendation.

No final project selection was made; administrators said ICS (architect/owner’s rep) will present consolidated design and cost information at the May meeting and that a formal recommendation is the target for June.","The finance committee reviewed Jarrett Town Elementary project concepts, community survey feedback and high-level financing scenarios including $35 million and $70 million options; administration and PFM presented debt-service sketches, funding levers and next steps for parameters resolutions and a final recommendation in June.",{"_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},6254106,"District awards PCCD safety contracts, accepts food‑service donation and moves assessment review and legal ratifications",6345,3502000,9847000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176413-1755088450742bb6dd94ad08de825cee&start=3502&end=9847","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176413-1755088450742bb6dd94ad08de825cee/thumbnail_3502000.jpg","/articles/6254106/Pennsylvania/District-awards-PCCD-safety-contracts-accepts-foodservice-donation-and-moves-assessment-review-and-legal-ratifications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254106-67e53a0de0ebd5e6d3d5a2e13fb4cde6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770897216&Signature=fBto95kPdrr3guYTE2sKxCpyQTef2Vxq~TDltylGn7Rz8aGlblAhaoHIxYN-3Xm3xAhCMTcDP0Him81cDyHh3vAp2fKXmmclZmwQ~LFlbUi7l4~pizZGrp3zcgqbI2CpQcPxgsz8m-KFj6uyaJTCajWA0NKucG1Mafmw6Q2aBbZ5U4LRPXaRUyzyFExHfhdbAJ1zQi2CCksWRQL5af2SzN90Ukw20cTWoXcfV7E~d38oxH9EcTci01aK8ZhvkiZl3g8D7RPS7Tzq1k0-rn7AHCivA~bZd-U38iSgc-oLA-a0lzNpE74TS3YYf176NU38Ue4vF58xaI0x-aaxhwhkWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its April 23 meeting the finance committee advanced a cluster of procurement and administrative items related to safety, grants and legal services.

Bids and PCCD grant projects: The administration recommended awarding three PCCD grant‑funded safety projects to implement facility safety improvements. The committee recommended awarding the Fort Washington exterior door replacement to Jersey Architecture Door and Supply (base bid $70,217), a video‑management‑system (VMS) server replacement to Innovative Technology Holdings ($30,685.38) for remaining buildings, and an augmentation to the handheld radio system and channel upgrades to Compass ($28,144). Administration said the work will largely occur over the summer and that the purchases meet grant eligibility; the grants carry expenditure deadlines into 2025 and 2026.

Donations and transfers: Giant Supermarkets donated $3,755.22 to support the district food‑service program through its Feeding School Kids initiative; the committee recommended receiving the donation into the general fund and transferring the amount to the food‑service fund per normal mechanics.

Property assessments and legal counsel: The committee approved engaging Valbridge Property Advisors for an initial district‑wide under‑assessment screening ($5,750) and authorized follow‑up appraisals only where net benefit thresholds are met, per board policy. The agenda also ratified a solicitor engagement following a law‑firm merger (Stock & Leader joining Saxon & Stump) and renewed an annual agreement with Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams for special‑education and technology legal consultation at the same fee as the prior year ($15,750).

Settlement: The committee approved a settlement stipulation on a district‑initiated assessment appeal for 1840 Norristown Road that carries retroactive payments: about $44,000 for 2023, an interim payment of roughly $51,000 for 2024, and an ongoing increase of about $45,000 for 2025 and beyond; administration described the settlement as fair and recommended approval.

Committee members asked questions about equipment longevity for the VMS server replacement and confirmed technical staff and vendor references; administrators said the chosen systems align with longer‑term plans to standardize equipment across buildings.

All items were forwarded for board action on the appropriate upcoming agenda.","The finance committee recommended awarding three PCCD grant‑funded safety contracts (exterior doors, VMS server replacement, radio system upgrades), ratified legal engagements, authorized a Valbridge assessment review and accepted a Giant supermarket donation to the food service fund.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee recommends discontinuing zoning appeal for transportation facility, will pursue legislative/zoning path and continue property search

Upper Dublin budget: administration recommends 4% property‑tax increase; committee moves several staffing requests to board agenda

Upper Dublin reviews Jarrett Town elementary financing scenarios as community input arrives

District awards PCCD safety contracts, accepts food‑service donation and moves assessment review and legal ratifications