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West York Area SD board votes 8-0 to restore NJROTC to proposed 2025–26 budget; district adds residency-check software
Summary
The West York Area SD Board voted unanimously to restore the NJROTC program to the 2025–26 proposed budget, adding roughly $119,000 in expenditures. The draft budget totals about $74.8 million, includes a 4% tax increase and a $6,000 increase for a residency-verification service (Clear Software). Final budget adoption is scheduled in May.
The West York Area SD Board of Directors voted 8–0 to add the Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NJROTC) back into the proposed 2025–26 budget after board members said cadet testimony and program value warranted reinstatement.
The budget as presented by district staff totaled about $74,817,000 in expenditures and includes a proposed 4% tax increase. The administration also proposed adding a residency-verification service, Clear Software, which would increase people-services spending by about $6,000 to enable proactive residency checks and cyber-charter address verification.
Director Dugan, speaking in favor of reinstating NJROTC, said the board had heard compelling testimony from cadets and outlined three initial steps for restoring the program: (1) add the program back into the budget, (2) secure a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the association to make the position outside the salary grid, and (3) direct administration to find a certified instructor. "There is a lot of moving parts to this, but I think the first thing that has to happen is us to put it back in the budget," Dugan said. He told colleagues the administration would seek a certified instructor and an MOU that would clarify compensation arrangements.
Board action and vote: A motion to add NJROTC back into the budget was moved and seconded; the board then conducted a roll-call vote. Directors voted as follows: Director Myers (yes), Director Harlacher (yes), Director Schopf (yes), Director Dugan (yes), Director Deardorff (yes), Director Geddes (yes), Vice President Helm (yes) and President Rice (yes). The president announced an "8 to 0" result and said the motion carries.
Budget context and next steps: The administration said restoring NJROTC will increase the proposed budget by approximately $119,000. District staff also noted that the formal, final budget adoption will occur at the board's May meeting after the required public notice period. The NJROTC reinstatement will require an MOU with the teachers' association and further action by the administration to recruit an appropriately credentialed instructor; board members emphasized that the position should not supplant existing contracted positions and sought clarity that it would be additive to the staffing plan.
Other related items discussed in the budget presentation included the proposed removal of a residency-check contract in favor of Clear Software to improve compliance with Act 67 and an update that the district had removed NJROTC from an earlier draft but was reversing that decision following public testimony. Board members also discussed concerns about other student programs that were reduced or removed and asked the administration to explore grants or foundation funding to assist students facing tuition barriers.
No final vote on the full 2025–26 budget occurred at this meeting; board members noted the budget will be advertised and a final vote is scheduled at the May board meeting.
