[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6515797,"mediaKeyId","3846179-58499f9a24bb687cb59ee94cbde19398","parentId",3846179,"title","Octorara board adopts $66.5M budget, sets millage and approves $2.28M energy savings agreement plus multiple contracts","audioSeconds",1281,"startMs",2619000,"endMs",3900000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846179-58499f9a24bb687cb59ee94cbde19398&start=2619&end=3900","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846179-58499f9a24bb687cb59ee94cbde19398/thumbnail_2619000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6515797/Pennsylvania/Octorara-board-adopts-665M-budget-sets-millage-and-approves-228M-energy-savings-agreement-plus-multiple-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515797-13c792f61fe4bc2d4252c984ef760096/orig.mp4?Expires=1775541894&Signature=JSkWRoJETTPrdPrs2h9OQex4m0njc28qIAUlUrG5AUOpDwTEFuPyTfOZuK1KeYaMnItdjYilnSLfrNGxLhvBtw0QW9WfLXPZlxir6acM4jsGW3Ps65fXXNu6uyEsgpTm~ihHs4sZUkIScenA8qGBR-974p2EfTaAUBqw1szrBNZME4-cX0rLJUAUX-6BtLxvHZQ0sNE0hPHS0DYc7MEsawDnHFaz5OgM6MMVsold~p6rT7-5RggFwy2okVNE4OaR~fBtNVIi6BKSYyyVO12QE9cmrixFRJiZmOzRugNVC3tZDUEbbdEsayZb5gRxzFcQ3q4H6xvDZ2YxRR2uVBcZgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Octorara Area School District","date","2025-06-17T01:13:19.207Z","article","The Octorara Area School District Board of School Directors approved its 2025–26 general fund budget, established real estate millage rates for the district’s Chester and Lancaster county properties, accepted grants for capital and renewable projects, and approved a number of contracts and purchases during a regular board meeting.

Budget and millage: The board approved the 2025–26 general fund budget with expenditures of $66,500,950 by roll call (8 yes, 1 absent). The board also approved a resolution establishing a real estate millage of 43.46 mills in Chester County and 25.94 mills in Lancaster County; board members said the board did not increase its millage and described the change as a county-driven rebalancing tied to assessment changes (vote: 8 yes, 1 absent).

Major contracts and purchases: The board approved several vendor agreements and capital projects, including:
- A five‑year lease with the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley (07/01/2025–06/30/2030) with base annual rent of $72,432.07, increasing 3% each January during the term (motion approved).
- Renewal of EdInsight data management for $34,267 (approved).
- A McClure Company proposal for chiller replacement at the primary learning center for $449,355 (approved).
- A guaranteed energy savings agreement with McClure Company for $2,277,729 (approved by roll call).
- Chiller maintenance with McClure for a five‑year total of $73,376 (approved).
- Furniture, flooring, and equipment purchases (quotes approved): autism support room furniture $27,239.46 (STS Innovative Interiors); computer lab furniture $24,948.06 (Corbett Inc.); Tekuchi track loader $67,512.24 (Highway Equipment and Supply Co.); carpet replacement $19,698 (Franklin Flooring Inc.); cafeteria doors $30,840 (United Door and Hardware); pole‑vault pads and covers $28,701 (Aluminum Athletic Equipment Company) — the board noted storm insurance will cover much of the pole‑vault cost.

Grants and policies: The board accepted a $9,400 Dockstader Foundation grant for an outdoor classroom and a $300,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for a solar array. The board also approved second readings of several policies, including 317 (conduct/disciplinary procedures), 317.1 (educator misconduct), 320 (freedom of speech by employees) and 718 (service animals in school).

Services and personnel approvals: The board approved several service agreements with the Chester County Intermediate Unit (HR generalist services and director of HR on assignment), a physician services agreement with Lancaster General Medical Group at $8,000 per year and a multi‑year athletic training services agreement with annual fees of $80,000, $82,400 and $84,800 for successive years. The board approved an insurance proposal with MGI Risk Management at $259,530 (annual recurring cost) and approved the listed salaries for district employees for 2025–26.

Other approvals: The board approved the payment of bills totaling $3,351,595.93, authorized donations of used furniture to West Fallowfield Christian School (approximate value $13,300), accepted several resignations including Assistant Business Manager Matt Furlong effective 08/10/2025 and Special Education teacher Samantha Dash effective 06/10/2025, and approved modest student trip funding (Physics Flight Club) and boiler maintenance agreements.

Summer hiring authority: The board adopted a resolution authorizing the superintendent (interim superintendent referenced in the meeting) to make hiring decisions that allow new district employees to begin employment during July and August with the board ratifying hires at a subsequent board meeting. Several board members requested written guardrails and enhanced advance communication to committees for non‑routine or higher‑step hires; the motion passed.

Votes and roll calls: Multiple items were decided by voice votes or roll call. Where roll calls were recorded, the transcript shows the board voting 8 yes, 1 absent on both the budget and millage resolutions. Other routine purchases and service agreements passed by majority voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Octorara Area School Board Meeting 6-16-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Octorara Area School District Board adopted the 2025–26 general fund budget, approved a two-county millage schedule, accepted grants including $300,000 for a solar array, and approved multiple vendor contracts including a $2,277,729 guaranteed energy savings agreement.","taxTitle","Octorara Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",46551,"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},6515801,"Communities In Schools describes expanded middle- and high-school supports, early outcomes",897,721000,1618000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846179-58499f9a24bb687cb59ee94cbde19398&start=721&end=1618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846179-58499f9a24bb687cb59ee94cbde19398/thumbnail_721000.jpg","/articles/6515801/Pennsylvania/Communities-In-Schools-describes-expanded-middle-and-high-school-supports-early-outcomes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515801-59530b40ec257f2158a6efd2c50aaeb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775541894&Signature=cfICeoD2-5t91brAxGBz-5vT~qGS7kvKRgrrWt8c51Ahhx01UwCBXN0FxO8CGMDYBcC86SqCXpR56pvZZSWZ28~7lPOfh-PSBlTcFZKEYuSqLGvclEGIUEGqXgfi6WpK7in1820uaEIoj0zmsOZ5qMcP57o3eKwO5r2ly8aaW8sduGJghvFsSoUKHfoYsurFdFufWpYoeFj7vsA6KyMbpOyH1ez3RnGZeRLHZqm8jDBJNx78EHXKZiO0hTHdfK9XBt9cD7cnyaywBVganPIjrMeDF5IkZF~DLcCA9F1xbEyV~3jLmux4pAq6WUXh6mcyZKv-RO81RjHPKRzaUH58Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Communities and Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania (CIS) representatives presented to the Octorara Area School District Board on programs the nonprofit provided this school year and plans for expanded services next year.

At the meeting CIS staff described a tiered service model: tier 1 whole-school supports, tier 2 small-group interventions, and tier 3 one-on-one case-managed supports that CIS staff said are non‑therapeutic and focus on practical, school-based help. CIS said each school-based coordinator can manage a caseload of up to about 60 students; middle- and high-school coordinators will have separate caseloads. Staff said caseloads are fluid and students may be on a caseload for a quarter or for the full year depending on need.

CIS presented early outcome metrics from this abbreviated implementation period. On a five‑point student survey, the presenter reported that CIS scored 4.71 for perceived supportiveness, 4.57 for supporting motivation to attend school and 4.29 for developing a sense of belonging. CIS said a GRIT (Girls Rising Together) group served 25 students this year and five of those were case managed. Of three students with attendance goals, staff reported one made measurable progress; CIS said other students showed progress on behavior or academic goals in specific cases, including a student who raised failing grades enough to advance to the next grade.

CIS staff outlined partnerships formed this year, including The Point, Evolve, Chester County OIC, Penncrest High BSU and Second Century Alliance, and named supports such as a student wardrobe and prom assistance from parent volunteers. Staff also described co‑facilitating a SHOUT morning group for students; a student speaker said SHOUT meets before school to discuss school climate, plan events and provide a student voice to administrators.

CIS said it will use summer months to complete a needs assessment with school principals and district data, finalize referral processes and align programming with school PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), restorative practices and youth mental health first aid training already in place. Staff said an end‑of‑year report with final participation and attendance metrics is pending as schools finalize data.

Board members asked clarifying questions about caseloads, referral pathways and measures of attendance and behavior; CIS staff said they will provide more detailed referral guidance and the completed end‑of‑year numbers after the district finalizes data.

The presentation did not include a board action or vote; it ended with an offer from CIS to answer follow‑up questions and a request to improve summer outreach so teachers and counselors better understand referral procedures.","Communities and Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania (CIS) described a transition of services into Octorara Area School District middle and high schools, outlined caseloads, tiered supports and early student-reported outcomes; staff said an end-of-year report and summer needs assessment will clarify impacts.","actionData","errors"]

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Octorara board adopts $66.5M budget, sets millage and approves $2.28M energy savings agreement plus multiple contracts

Communities In Schools describes expanded middle- and high-school supports, early outcomes