[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6196832,"mediaKeyId","3856825-82efe702d0dffa7288a086dc7e066048","parentId",3856825,"title","Board approves Fox Rothschild engagement for labor and bargaining advice; one trustee abstains","audioSeconds",54,"startMs",1432000,"endMs",1486000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3856825-82efe702d0dffa7288a086dc7e066048&start=1432&end=1486","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3856825-82efe702d0dffa7288a086dc7e066048/thumbnail_1432000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6196832/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-Fox-Rothschild-engagement-for-labor-and-bargaining-advice-one-trustee-abstains","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196832-accffbb6c27d42e3330ac7d2f9adc76e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770882166&Signature=cENwzv3SicJGOtZ9fNrz6LkM4YG90Bike5r9Ch3nC7-UU-dpFwHQguZ3lu5Nx-nEF77rvFGx4EboNnpTZk9~3qhqQ3U4jfeApSDK0Qdi4yto~dc34kTw0vZ8KFbziFOBczar1O3aTGf~Z5obXVB~iJb6ufvm~uhmXjUMxuds0ogZuyPIpCRZOxXs9YryVD2oFA9QCdy4DKqQXyGvbT9eHURZZqnyT8Hv0Zs0XUXdKoFL8hse8u61OGVgnxUeU-V3RWo7iHDcHn1jEbnu0Av3bg8x6sk2fzjGKtsGlxUpxLPfPdfj5PDNAqaDwZe37WALTq9Pan1dk4QJ3v5L45gZig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-18T04:39:59.68Z","article","The Exeter Township School District board on June 17 approved an engagement agreement with law firm Fox Rothschild LLP to provide specialized labor and employment services related to upcoming collective bargaining work with the Exeter Township Education Association (ETEA).

The agreement, presented during the Finance and Audit committee report, covers services including negotiation support for a new collective bargaining agreement, general labor and employment advice stemming from collective bargaining, and benefits‑related services. A board member noted a conflict of interest and abstained: “I will be abstaining from this because my spouse is a member of the ETEA,” the board member said on the record.

The board approved the engagement by voice vote with the abstention recorded in the minutes. Trustees did not elaborate further on scope beyond the items in the engagement recommendation; the business administrator and solicitor were present to support the board's governance process.

The engagement authorizes district leaders to work with Fox Rothschild on bargaining and related employment matters as the district prepares for negotiations and related labor advice.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 17, 2025 Exeter Township School Board Voting Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees approved an engagement agreement with Fox Rothschild LLP to provide specialized labor and employment services related to collective bargaining and benefits; a trustee abstained due to a spouse's ETEA membership.","taxTitle","Exeter Township SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",53767,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6196836,"Board accepts $1.18 million GESA contract deduction; funds earmarked for capital projects including elevator",274,3070000,3344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3856825-82efe702d0dffa7288a086dc7e066048&start=3070&end=3344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3856825-82efe702d0dffa7288a086dc7e066048/thumbnail_3070000.jpg","/articles/6196836/Pennsylvania/Board-accepts-118-million-GESA-contract-deduction-funds-earmarked-for-capital-projects-including-elevator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196836-1db4f5b901b6cc1b73eff1971d2339fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770882166&Signature=XQT93wJY0B1s-ZV7xg4uIFCo8ysmcCINeTZL16ibseJaB9si-C-hV43F9mIAWQt4Fbg8qflTaL2VkdGudTYH0as9HdJOYMecEyUODyg-6KuUBZ-bMXz1pWBeRrXz79Qd7IXOLWn3bEriaa4Rw4wdnS~5G56wDttR1nRp-cOfaNZyih0OxkW~RfCARY9DXmyyQ91dSkGBZQtx4jioKogf4dsTLqpTHmFzTNaqXj2i03T93nBDppiggkw8UQ~MpgVwPsLkQq3keIny~e7vTYo~ypx~76tq3IRNT9Zy1FZhKQCXVQVrX6F3hgeg2OgAtDt-h3A7DzbreM~-IP0AzAxRVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Exeter Township School District board on June 17 approved Amendment No. 3 to its Guaranteed Energy Savings (GESA) contract, reducing the contract by $1,176,640 to account for allowances not expended and scopes removed from the project.

The amendment was presented in the Facilities and Transportation committee portion of the meeting. Board members and administrators described the figure as surplus funds resulting from contingencies that were not needed as projects progressed. “This $1,176,640 is a surplus that's coming back to the district,” a board member said, adding that the funds are restricted for capital projects and cannot be used for the general fund.

Business administrator Brian Fike explained timing and spending rules tied to bond proceeds: the district must spend certain bond funds within five years of the last borrowing, and some proceeds were prioritized earlier to avoid arbitrage issues. He reported approximately $3 million remained in the bond fund originating from the 2023 borrowing.

Administrators discussed candidate uses for the returned funds. “We know that we need to replace the elevator at the high school … it cannot meet ADA requirements anymore,” said Dr. Christy Haller, the superintendent, describing the elevator as beyond repair and a likely capital priority. The administration cited an estimated replacement cost of roughly $1.1–$1.2 million, roughly offsetting the returned surplus.

Trustees approved the amendment by voice vote after discussion about allowable uses and timing. The board directed administration to prioritize capital projects consistent with bond restrictions and to return with recommendations for how to allocate the surplus proceeds within the required timeframe.","Trustees approved Amendment No. 3 to a Guaranteed Energy Savings (GESA) contract that reduces the contract by $1,176,640, returning surplus bond proceeds to the district; administration said the funds must be spent on capital projects within bond rules and cited elevator replacement as a likely priority.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_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":56,"_74":56},6196840,"Exeter board adopts $89.3 million general fund budget and raises millage to 37.0024 (3.25% increase)",127,2934000,3061000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3856825-82efe702d0dffa7288a086dc7e066048&start=2934&end=3061","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3856825-82efe702d0dffa7288a086dc7e066048/thumbnail_2934000.jpg","/articles/6196840/Pennsylvania/Exeter-board-adopts-893-million-general-fund-budget-and-raises-millage-to-370024-325-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196840-a5bb8647ffedbf3f97538d2b252c5943/orig.mp4?Expires=1770882166&Signature=VpPskHQEsDlGM8IOWSWdqmbc0eeLRCH~4V9ouWXdQDnUn4bdtTQzzcDdJlFLUCnAdvCLI2NNsvSu-of-B5GjTMbfx5fpm~Ok7kiTUp3OjUZrK0~RFsfCNQNmh4OdV9mldVJa3Z1ng6bKlPthyaA1QvHY12VXnGeSVKGRxzoeCvmQfuTgV-PYm5uTDL0X3rcz8esCftX2kkoSVRQEpt1CVpT2YSmfTH8mPdOyMZr78Ux24nba2HTU86soy0Arc1QClcsxfJ-N~27fzO5ZUxM~CgwlJdIqGL0TXFqwk-m82p-ze7Vj-2w0ikTsYbgEjkNcRMASn~7-wfGzVGRfk8S32A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Exeter Township School District board on June 17 adopted a final general fund budget for 2025–26 totaling $89,314,814 and approved a real‑estate millage resolution that raises the millage by 3.25% to 37.0024.

“I'd just like to remind the board that within this budget includes a 3.25% tax increase, which is equal to 37.0024 millage,” a board member stated during discussion before the roll call. Business administrator and board secretary Brian Fike conducted a roll call vote: six trustees voted yes and two voted no. The roll call in the record shows Deborah Bloom, Jason Mill, Timothy Morgan, Travis Odom, Julia Schaefer and Allison Wilson voting yes; John Fidler and Dr. Anne Herring voted no. The motion carried.

Separately, the board approved final budgets for the food service department for the 2025–26 school year. The board reported the food‑service budgeted revenue as $2,529,728 and stated budgeted expenditures in the meeting materials; trustees approved that item by motion and second.

Board members and administrators discussed budget timing and state funding uncertainty; administrators said Department of Education projections can be useful as a cross‑check but noted local enrollment and service counts vary. The board also approved a six‑item finance and audit consent agenda during the meeting.

The board scheduled additional budget work for upcoming meetings and reminded the public that state budget actions could affect district resources once the state budget is finalized.","Trustees adopted the 2025–26 general fund budget and a real‑estate millage resolution that increases millage 3.25% to 37.0024; vote was 6–2 on the roll call. The board also approved the food service budget.",{"_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":56,"_74":56},6196845,"Exeter board selects Cropper for 10‑year demographic study to guide staffing and facilities planning",1293,1491000,2784000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3856825-82efe702d0dffa7288a086dc7e066048&start=1491&end=2784","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3856825-82efe702d0dffa7288a086dc7e066048/thumbnail_1491000.jpg","/articles/6196845/Pennsylvania/Exeter-board-selects-Cropper-for-10year-demographic-study-to-guide-staffing-and-facilities-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196845-4ddfc19d0c9e9bd774d7233a2ec01d6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770882166&Signature=QHQVfp~NyKGlN54Fskuk2c8YCtsAKokA2Iwf58iPBGJlGpI7HceZelQE4Ql4SU1KIsYzCHRJeteFMEZveU643nMFKlGDKKJzGLnfF3LUko8XJ4OokB5JZH78s1nU9vdqtC82iIyY8CoyOXF50PLr2cAn1DvvRS-wNiZWgoQHR9bvmlgPYZlQv-0t4qCUEuC2iJ7fa0sX2Kem7~0VszIUSFZhJzlyQzPM91LXpzH1XVbjxYYNuuiMURfFBHUx6iZ-O4DhTvv2PcYvg-wVusWhGYWnAtYNYIc0JSTTpCLq1Jh8ZPdJCU9TYcRyp-CKTgjZbbzC-rL0lVJV5V-wz9ieYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Exeter Township School District board voted on June 17 to hire Cropper Planning + Consulting to perform a demographic study projecting student population out to 2034, a study trustees said is needed to inform staffing and building‑capacity decisions.

The board acted after a committee discussion weighing two proposals: a lower‑cost Cropper option covering a 10‑year projection and a more expensive proposal from PEL. “Having reviewed both, it seems as though Cropper would definitely fit our needs,” said Dr. Christy Haller, the district superintendent, citing the district's variable class sizes and the need for better data to respond to possible consolidation questions.

Trustees and administrators described several planning motivations: class sizes fluctuate (the most recent graduating class had about 324 students while recent kindergarten classes have been under 300), the district has repurposed classroom space for special‑education programming, and local land use changes could affect future enrollment. “Because of special education programming and the laws surrounding it … there's a certain amount of square footage that you need to have for these classrooms,” Haller said, adding that those rooms are not empty even when overall enrollment dips.

Supporters also said a 10‑year view can identify long‑term trends that shorter PDE (Pennsylvania Department of Education) regressions may not capture. Board member Timothy Morgan said PDE projections can be useful as a check but “they are limited” because they rely primarily on grade‑progression models and live‑birth data and do not account for aging populations and new construction.

The board conducted a public straw poll during the meeting; eight trustees expressed support for Cropper, and the board subsequently amended a motion to select Cropper and approve the contract. The motion passed on a vote. The board discussed whether Cropper would address factors such as apartment development, mixed‑use properties, and local projects and asked the administration to coordinate with township officials on data and future joint briefings.

Administrators said Cropper's proposal included two phases, and the $13,000 price quoted during the meeting covered a virtual presentation; an in‑person presentation would add $2,500. Following the vote, trustees directed staff to notify township supervisors and to consider quarterly follow‑ups or joint meetings if the demographic results suggest shared planning steps.

The study is intended to inform staffing levels, potential consolidation options, and capital planning; trustees said they will use the report as part of future budgeting and facilities decisions.","Trustees voted to hire Cropper to produce a 10‑year student population projection; discussion focused on building capacity, special‑education space needs and possible collaboration with the township.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6196851,"Exeter Township officials flag rise in cyber‑charter enrollment; district offers in‑house option",389,720000,1109000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3856825-82efe702d0dffa7288a086dc7e066048&start=720&end=1109","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3856825-82efe702d0dffa7288a086dc7e066048/thumbnail_720000.jpg","/articles/6196851/Pennsylvania/Exeter-Township-officials-flag-rise-in-cybercharter-enrollment-district-offers-inhouse-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196851-f6826be99bd5b11969be3576d95825a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770882166&Signature=Qy8okI6mswG0UzD9uy47F95KMtSIK4MQO7KHMNTT4aYQ~khaqsajUQ8at-Hyr1MqM1Py3B2BblB746Ptuik0Rco4JenCnSiwUZEtcaj8LLl2svniI2-JxIuvJr14Vah8mYkaYie3swAmNCb3OwS8iEE1KjbmCPAtFm2N5g-Hcefhg4~faYr0NyUmpXcO1CLXILjfGMZduv3aLMZGba1~UDFjEZ6EhzEp92LiTQ6FO6KX5bG-ui7GS7SfrxMpYWv0AyRr9TTx-k2dsjvuZ1KkYwPB9oGiIVpWwA1vn9xh0jiQ2Do-RQbTg5SZEjM3l~0QUa-xYmfksVuEfG9JM6trDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members at the Exeter Township School District meeting on June 17 pressed administrators for more data after district staff reported a recent increase in students enrolled in outside cyber charter schools.

The concern surfaced during the Education Committee report when board member Allison Wilson asked about year‑to‑year changes in cyber enrollment and whether the district could track reasons families leave brick‑and‑mortar schools. “I did notice that there were some increases this year … in both Exeter cyber charter, as well as out of district cyber charter,” Wilson said, requesting data to understand whether the increases reflected special‑education placements or family choice.

Dr. Josh Hoyt, director of teaching and learning, told the board the district does not routinely ask families why they transfer but does try to intervene when it learns a student is considering a switch. “When students go to an outside cyber charter, sometimes we're not made aware of that until we get the request for records,” Hoyt said. He added that the district refers families to Jason Dolesky, who oversees the Exeter Cyber Academy (ECA), to explain ECA options, including part‑time/hybrid schedules and activities eligibility.

Hoyt gave the board a head count: “Currently, we have, a 111 students who are in our, outside in outside cyber charter schools. And, of that breakdown, 56 are special ed and and 55 are regular education students.” Board members asked that future enrollment reports include that special‑education vs. regular‑education breakdown under the overall out‑of‑district cyber total so the board can track trends over time.

Several trustees said the district should avoid speculation about causes on social media until the administration can gather data directly from families. “If there's a way that we can, whatever that is, exit surveys or some way to contact the, the parents … get an understanding of what was it that drove them out of the brick and mortar district,” said a board member during discussion, calling for targeted outreach and better data collection.

Administrators said they already attempt annual outreach: Hoyt said the district contacts families on the list of students enrolled in outside cyber charter schools and that roughly 80% respond to those outreach efforts. He reiterated benefits the district highlights to families considering ECA: participation in sports and clubs and hybrid course options.

The board asked staff to include the requested breakdown in future reports and to consider whether additional exit‑survey data or other tracking steps could be added to better understand family decisions.

Looking ahead, board members said the district will combine any future mentions of cyber charter enrollment with related agenda items, including the demographic study the board later authorized, which trustees said should inform long‑range planning for staffing and facilities.","Board members pressed administration for more data after officials reported a rise in students enrolled in outside cyber charter schools; district says it tries to recruit those families to its Exeter Cyber Academy and can break out special‑education vs. regular‑education counts going forward.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves Fox Rothschild engagement for labor and bargaining advice; one trustee abstains

Board accepts $1.18 million GESA contract deduction; funds earmarked for capital projects including elevator

Exeter board adopts $89.3 million general fund budget and raises millage to 37.0024 (3.25% increase)

Exeter board selects Cropper for 10‑year demographic study to guide staffing and facilities planning

Exeter Township officials flag rise in cyber‑charter enrollment; district offers in‑house option