Shippensburg SD reviews joining Franklin County Learning Center; one‑time buy‑in discussed

Shippensburg Area School District administrators discussed a proposal Wednesday to join the Franklin County Learning Center joint authority administered by IU‑12, a move they say could reduce special‑education placement costs and restore slots the district has been losing as a non‑member.

Bill August, superintendent, said the district previously placed 19–20 students at the Franklin County Learning Center but that those slots were "sunset" as students graduated because Shippensburg is not a member of the joint authority. "It is one of the most cost effective placements that we have," August told the board, arguing membership would add placement access and lower the district’s per‑student charges.

Nut graf: Board discussion focused on a one‑time buy‑in cost and a timeline for a membership decision. Administration said the illustrative buy‑in is $137,800 (based on a $2 million facility valuation and current member counts) but estimated net first‑year cost after current‑year savings at roughly $94,546. No formal board vote was taken; the board was asked to consider action by late summer so the authority can include Shippensburg in upcoming debt‑service and bidding schedules.

IU‑12 and the Franklin County Learning Center director, Dr. Chris Marchese, joined remotely to explain the financing and program implications. Marchese confirmed the arithmetic presented by the superintendent and described how a district’s "percent equity" share would be calculated from Franklin County property valuations; he said the example in the meeting used a roughly 6.9% ownership share for Shippensburg under the assumed values.

Administrators said membership would change Shippensburg from paying a non‑member per‑student rate (about $11,000 plus program costs) to a member per‑student rate (about $8,000 plus program costs), producing immediate savings on students already placed at the facility. The administration presented an example in which the difference for the 12 students currently at the center would reduce the district’s effective first‑year net cost of joining to about $94,546 after the buy‑in discount is applied.

Discussion also addressed program plans and capacity. Marchese said the center now serves roughly "130 to 160" students and is planning to add programs including a secondary emotional‑support placement and shorter‑duration placements for students who need temporary supports. He told the board the learning center anticipates capacity to expand by "another 45 to 50 students" over time as programs grow.

Timing and process: Marchese and IU finance staff said the buy‑in and any related ownership‑share adjustments would be subject to a fair‑market valuation of the facility; they suggested no exchange of funds before July 1, 2026, to allow districts time to budget. The presenters asked Shippensburg to indicate interest by late August so the authority can finalize debt‑service plans and schedule fall infrastructure bidding. "We're fairly confident that your step value, if all 5 remain, will be about 6.7%," Marchese said, describing the ownership calculation.

Board direction: Administrators recommended the board consider membership and planned to add the item to the next meeting for formal discussion. No binding action was taken; the presenters offered to supply a market‑value analysis and additional budget scenarios if the board signals intent to proceed.

Ending: The district will continue internal discussion, and the administration asked the board to reach a preliminary position by late summer so the Franklin County authority can incorporate Shippensburg into its planning if the district elects to join.