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