[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6454892,"mediaKeyId","5857808-b61a7fd92b1f84a26721331d9cac60fc","parentId",5857808,"title","Board approves three‑year cybersecurity services agreement with Optiv Security","audioSeconds",5167,"startMs",530000,"endMs",5697000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5857808-b61a7fd92b1f84a26721331d9cac60fc&start=530&end=5697","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5857808-b61a7fd92b1f84a26721331d9cac60fc/thumbnail_530000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6454892/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-threeyear-cybersecurity-services-agreement-with-Optiv-Security","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454892-c5395d7902011935542520e30066090f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770705117&Signature=lCs5b2cQmXCSXtn3s5LY4EzU9-agiViOe5Enjprl1G4zXs2zAlHY7pF4khlT2e2nUtTUlkW0xsdtAB80baHxMNmAgHQLBJWbnQjdrziIssLiI5IreHLUB-GaxqiiWKCut6Zd3X9~PEARjPUrxyE6Go2Sk1ZTQOZPdufWfILEGUJYE1HzgI3R2AbGKKVT3yMS74sBySbeoIc8my43fnuWK1oGcH6EAtt0~L5onhGLbfnTzmC8GYIK6U88ASwVvDB8b~jOieOoAp0pYCGTj4y3qDlu4I1RdPgeMG1a97AeyeICCU9CCix9wLIOPpzXRbpHR49-DqCBI21wets9ZTmn7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Chester Area School District","date","2025-09-30T12:00:38Z","article","The West Chester Area School District board on Sept. 29 approved a three‑year cybersecurity services agreement with Optiv Security LLC.

The motion presented to the board described the agreement as a three‑year service contract not to exceed $95,079.85 per year. The district technology director had recommended Optiv after the Property & Finance Committee review of capabilities, functionality and cost.

Committee discussion noted the procurement is budget neutral and had been included in the current budget allocation. The board approved the contract by voice vote.

The district did not present an individual roll‑call tally in the meeting minutes; the committee and the full board approved the item during the evening session. The administration indicated the contract will carry forward to the full board for final execution paperwork following committee approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","West Chester Area School District Property & Finance Meeting and Monthly Board Meeting 09/29/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a three‑year service agreement with Optiv Security LLC to provide district cybersecurity services at a stated annual not‑to‑exceed price; the contract was presented as budget‑neutral and included in the current budget allocation.","taxTitle","West Chester Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",14586,"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},6454897,"West Chester Area SD projects roughly $15.2 million gap for 2026–27; board adopts budget calendar",5530,63000,5593000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5857808-b61a7fd92b1f84a26721331d9cac60fc&start=63&end=5593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5857808-b61a7fd92b1f84a26721331d9cac60fc/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/6454897/Pennsylvania/West-Chester-Area-SD-projects-roughly-152-million-gap-for-202627-board-adopts-budget-calendar","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454897-79d1addfd5476bbffcdadc9a72872af0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770705117&Signature=DsGMKXH3XzfNpKVBGzVVktqnL9RvsWfvwPDjNDVjHNuFix2adeNJzwEP1kqkH1m5qOnlLtrpL31-Fq2qejARDCphfZkDCm-1QvuE5tRhHatKL243jO-McD1-KLQi~1v2~bXAYT3h8C830c1s~TEIpilxlL68S2NhiBU2niSpP3pQNoRBNI~gPUVl3Dh01NNU3ZA-UUEUEWy7FVZfryAbeY-rWrXnMoDqA2SMsJ42DvWbsCom-PKOv93mocQjRxG1u~QHXloXuWAInfJVKj~n3ULYJQUYuJditjEehrz9xLjSV2cHdtgAPEANqr7xD6B7CiBOKSM6pmpSOMpMvVus4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","West Chester Area School District business staff told the Property & Finance Committee on Sept. 29 that minor changes to the 2024–25 forecast and a set of early adjustments for 2025–26 reduce the district’s projected near‑term deficit but leave a large gap for 2026–27.

Gary Scully, the district’s director of business affairs, said a late reconciliation with charter schools added about $244,000 in special‑education costs to the 2024–25 expenditures and produced a modest increase in that year’s budget gap. For 2025–26, Scully reported roughly $506,000 in salary savings driven by lower-than‑budgeted average teacher salaries in September and a net $417,000 improvement after offsetting projected expenditure and revenue changes.

The update comes as the board adopted the 2026–27 budget calendar, including a December decision point on whether to pursue Act 1 exceptions. Scully said the district’s current working gap for 2026–27 is “almost $15,200,000” and emphasized the figures are preliminary.

Scully explained several of the line items that produced the mid‑year adjustments. A reclassification of certain charter school enrollments from regular education to special education increased 2024–25 “other services” spending by about $244,000, and a reconciliation of actual September teacher salaries (about $84,129) versus the prior budget assumption (about $84,593) produced per‑teacher savings that, multiplied by the district’s headcount of 1,083 teachers, produced roughly $506,000 in salary savings.

On federal program funding, Scully said the district expects reductions in Title I, Title III and other federal allocations; he reported a projected $167,000 reduction in Title I and smaller shifts in Title II, Title III, Title IV and IDEA funds. The committee packet showed total expense reductions of roughly $941,000 and revenue reductions of about $329,000, producing the stated $417,000 net improvement for 2025–26.

The Property & Finance Committee presented the 2026–27 budget calendar that sets a December timeframe to decide whether the board will reserve the right to apply for Act 1 exceptions or adopt a resolution to remain within the Act 1 index (this year reported at 3.6 percent). If the board reserves the right to apply for exceptions, Scully said a preliminary budget would need to be available for board action in January (February at the latest); if the board elects not to apply for exceptions, the preliminary schedule mirrors prior years with a preliminary budget in April and final adoption in mid‑May.

The committee’s recommendation to advance the calendar to the full board was approved by voice vote.

The district cautioned that the 2026–27 estimate is early and subject to change as salaries, enrollment and state/federal revenue decisions are finalized.","District staff reported minor 2024–25 adjustments and a $417,000 net improvement to the 2025–26 projection, while the 2026–27 gap remains about $15.2 million; the board approved the 2026–27 budget calendar and the December Act 1 decision timetable.",{"_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},6454877,"Public commenters raise concerns about policy wording, AED access and automatic fixtures in renovated bathrooms",1920,4301000,6221000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5857808-b61a7fd92b1f84a26721331d9cac60fc&start=4301&end=6221","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5857808-b61a7fd92b1f84a26721331d9cac60fc/thumbnail_4301000.jpg","/articles/6454877/Pennsylvania/Public-commenters-raise-concerns-about-policy-wording-AED-access-and-automatic-fixtures-in-renovated-bathrooms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454877-cee835d7f8d53337de161cbd9dc2e91e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770705117&Signature=KzssGdWf-mc7-PyYkHRJe~Pv9ZN4fcvKDyWeh9Y7aKP5oGEjxbUvDGmKAgvychYnvxM9O-RW3NAYxnGH59tCmCUQSFWEEdbn5hmYXFcchHmcr4S2-spYzZnhxLNHP-mOGmbtI1GpvmMXNECH16CJNYsOuci8HZlUtcU97YqzjWiIux7AaCP8ZIDNM6x9UjDOlSUXdv0ltlh-jxF-4w61d4VI9mImxRY3aA-096Q8axZgsvY6~VLmN5TFxOk8YRqFuXAefTASWQ8JE6zoZ4DWoZXCH0pqEswhKXsYfF-mNx1mU-hD5AEspk2u6WD1akqS4cqFVpjj-hzqM56ff-BGXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public‑comment period at the Sept. 29 West Chester Area School District meeting, two residents raised operational and policy concerns.

Judy DeFonto of East Goshen addressed recent policy revisions. She said she noticed the district’s Policy 102 (standards) does not reference sustainability and asked whether sustainability had been omitted from the updated policy language. She also flagged Policy 815.5 (electronic signatures), suggesting the district clarify whether the rule covers employee signatures only or also applies to parent/guardian e‑signatures on documents such as IEPs. Finally, she raised Policy 822 regarding automated external defibrillators (AEDs), reporting that an AED in a district building had been physically obscured by a large blue curtain at times and asking the district to ensure AEDs are accessible.

Later in the public comment period, Beth Campbell of East Bradford spoke about recent renovations at Hillsdale Elementary. She said a newly renovated classroom located next to a restroom has proven disruptive because automatic flush toilets and automatic hand dryers are loud for young learners. She described students startling during restroom use and said some young children avoided using the bathroom because of the noise. Campbell asked the district to consider age‑appropriate fixtures or to provide mitigation such as hearing protection or education for younger students.

Board members acknowledged the comments and the meeting record indicates administrators will note the items. No formal board action on the policy items or facility fixtures was taken during the meeting; both comments were part of the public‑comment periods and recorded in the minutes.","Two residents spoke during public comment: one asked for clearer district policy language on sustainability, electronic signatures and AED accessibility; another asked the district to reconsider automatic flush/dryer fixtures in elementary bathrooms because of noise and usability for younger children.",{"_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},6454881,"Board approves temporary HR support and consulting agreement to revamp hiring; both items budget‑neutral",64,6115000,6179000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5857808-b61a7fd92b1f84a26721331d9cac60fc&start=6115&end=6179","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5857808-b61a7fd92b1f84a26721331d9cac60fc/thumbnail_6115000.jpg","/articles/6454881/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-temporary-HR-support-and-consulting-agreement-to-revamp-hiring-both-items-budgetneutral","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454881-37c460e5f05cbff3c52e84974dca7782/orig.mp4?Expires=1770705117&Signature=FzHYTK9Zottnyr93gXxPs3QzLP6~WJvYQBuqJeEkEWZ0p7gtFKxVF7H~apRql6xwqJDKUaGmjp7SBq0MKRYnJq0IbEQvWxv7VK0nIEuwUjY14FsPiCcmXjfc4iyq~i80Fbb84jPbD6eEd1s4tO~BbChnwJGn5oAQbQwoG3yTZRdRp0E7Smf~JtmNZu5BaM-l~P6H3z~R2uKfwlgMnRDyHAw-BVFzx~Lk3KgBCEMjnjm33o26kQ2JzscgyY5nIUCbpxK52HkUTqx28m8WosqRzZQItfkFrqQDW9MbJzOO8x4c3kq2EVWK4~isKr57ovJiyZYZ53XRbesfxKpJNRvsKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Sept. 29 the West Chester Area School District board approved two personnel‑related agreements presented by the administration: a temporary HR staffing arrangement and a consulting engagement to support competency‑based hiring improvements.

The first agreement approves temporary HR support from a foundation (listed in the motion as \"Foundation's Inc.\") at an employee pay rate of $50 per hour and a bill rate of $65 per hour, not to exceed $40,000 per year. During discussion a board member asked how the item would affect the budget; staff responded that the item is budget neutral and covered within existing allocations.

The second agreement authorizes Allen & Mine Partners LLC (transcript spelling) to assist the district with revamping competency‑based hiring decisions at a rate of $800 per day, not to exceed $100,000 per year. The motion passed on a voice vote. The administration said both engagements are budget neutral and will be paid from existing funds.

Board members approved the personnel recommendations and both contract motions without roll‑call tallies recorded in the meeting transcript. The administration will proceed with vendor engagement and will return updates as required by district procurement and oversight procedures.","The board approved a temporary HR staffing agreement with a foundation at set hourly rates (not to exceed $40,000) and a consulting agreement to revise competency‑based hiring practices (not to exceed $100,000); the administration described both as budget neutral.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6454887,"Board approves capital reserve awards for stage rigging and generator work; packet contains inconsistent award amounts",5169,603000,5772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5857808-b61a7fd92b1f84a26721331d9cac60fc&start=603&end=5772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5857808-b61a7fd92b1f84a26721331d9cac60fc/thumbnail_603000.jpg","/articles/6454887/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-capital-reserve-awards-for-stage-rigging-and-generator-work-packet-contains-inconsistent-award-amounts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454887-a5ea43fcc9159a889a440a4b75097611/orig.mp4?Expires=1770705117&Signature=oivnpTtAe2VKbeRj64f51UaREEdl~xOuuRivRnpEUeXikjgbgeFebc67ZjKBa9kSbuo2om4ZN2G1Lg4NNKLrXbca4cUG6DO9ewbHZGXM3h6aJTZtqUGXrqobfeRR7ZjcDprqpHO45h2Sc4K8mnGONDlhuBe-ki3gPX3yYkFN9bC5uw4jn~G4~30fPeqbXTge97X29doxPQuiBHtK743F09Fln9m6Hnh-XuW~F0q4QLW-RlHcFExOsx-JKiPRlPYB85bpZB2j-vzhgUGfcM0L-Ul7b6wiZJhtBS5UEjC2K6p8zX3cMheqbMmWesFhtSu1KvjQLlrdm6Zvw861sTmmrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Chester Area School District on Sept. 29 approved capital reserve project awards recommended by facilities staff, including a district‑wide stage rigging project for Middle School auditorium rigging and a small contractor award for generator‑related work at Westtown/West Towne Thornberry.

Facilities director presented project G166 for stage rigging at a middle school auditorium and recommended Ackerson/Ackerson Drapery as the vendor. During the meeting the award amount for G166 was announced in two places with different figures: one read as $22,960 and a later reading in the committee report referenced $22,009.60. The committee approved the award; the district should be asked to confirm the final award amount in the official contract packet.

The committee also approved a 2022–23 capital reserve item (project G142) for generator‑area masonry/travel work at West Towne Thornberry. That award was read as $3,000 to Donald Reisinger (listed in the packet as Donald Reisinger, Inc.). The committee recorded that approval and the item passed on a voice vote.

The facilities summary indicated project balances after the awards. For transparency, the administration and minutes should be consulted for the final contract amounts and vendor award documents, because the transcript contains inconsistent figures for the G166 award that require reconciliation.","The board approved awards for district stage‑rigging work (project G166) and a generator‑related project (project G142); transcript contains inconsistent dollar figures for the stage‑rigging award.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves three‑year cybersecurity services agreement with Optiv Security

West Chester Area SD projects roughly $15.2 million gap for 2026–27; board adopts budget calendar

Public commenters raise concerns about policy wording, AED access and automatic fixtures in renovated bathrooms

Board approves temporary HR support and consulting agreement to revamp hiring; both items budget‑neutral

Board approves capital reserve awards for stage rigging and generator work; packet contains inconsistent award amounts