LIU and York County Tech budgets presented; LIU salary increases draw questions

The Dallastown Area School Board reviewed two regional budget proposals on Feb. 13, 2025: the Lincoln Intermediate Unit (LIU) general operating budget for 2025–26 and the York County School of Technology (YCST) budget.

Kurt Roerball presented the LIU general operating budget, explaining it covers LIU administrative and central-office costs for New Oxford, the York Learning Center and the Franklin Learning Center. He told the board the district’s share for 2025–26 will be $132,124.47 and said the figure represents no increase to the district’s charge for general operating costs; other LIU services are charged as used. Board members asked for a written explanation of several large percentage increases they saw in LIU salary and benefit categories over multiple years. Board member Mr. Pierce said he had calculated increases — examples cited included administrative and director categories rising roughly 40–50% in recent years — and said he would vote no next week if the LIU did not provide clarification.

Mr. Granholm presented the York County School of Technology budget and called it largely stable, describing a proposed tuition increase of about one-half percent per student and the addition of four bus routes intended to keep student travel times under 90 minutes. Granholm said YCST enrollment remains close to last year’s level with Dallastown among the larger sending districts. Board members noted that individual board member votes are tallied and submitted to YCST rather than a single district vote; the board will record its individual votes at next week’s meeting for transmission to YCST.

Both budgets were presented as action items for the Feb. 20 meeting; no final votes were taken on Feb. 13.