Board approves budget, tax-related resolution and design work for new schools; Homestead exclusion passed

The Chambersburg Area School District board approved a series of motions including the 2025-26 budget resolution, a Homestead Farmstead Exclusion resolution, and a motion to proceed with design (and to seek bids) for a new grades 4'6 building, a new 7'8 middle school and a new Grandview Elementary School.

On the meeting agenda, the board first adopted the evening's agenda (motion by Mr. Hejduk, second by Mr. McKee) by voice vote.

The board approved its consent agenda items 7.01 through 7.1 (excluding item 7.09) on a motion by Mr. Walker, second by Dr. Diller. Members then separated item 7.09 for additional discussion and subsequent separate action.

Item 7.09 asked the board to authorize the design process and related architectural work to advance new construction and renovations for a 4'6 intermediate school, a 7'8 middle school and a new Grandview Elementary School and to proceed toward bidding and design administration. The administration said the authorization will allow the architects to begin work and produce estimates; staff described an overall planning target of up to $240 million for the Schools of Distinction program but noted final costs are not known.

Board member Mr. Harbaugh moved approval of item 7.09; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Gorgler and approved by the board by voice vote. Administration noted design and bidding are preliminary steps to obtain final cost estimates and that further board discussion will be needed about contingencies, contract administration and construction management prior to final contract awards.

On the business side, the board approved a Homestead Farmstead Exclusion resolution (an annual item) by roll call vote, 9'00. The board also approved the 2025-26 budget resolution by roll call vote, 8'1. In presenting the budget, staff member Mr. Stauffer highlighted that the proposed final budget includes an allocation described in the presentation as "just around $7.57600000.0 dollars" of additional debt service intended to begin ramping up funding for the district's Schools of Distinction initiative; administration said that figure represents an early planning allocation rather than a finalized construction budget.

During budget discussion, board members noted the tax-rate discussion and that previous years' incremental tax increases had been used to accumulate capacity for future projects; one board member expressed continued concern about changing deficit figures but supported final approval. The budget resolution passed by roll call 8'1; the transcript shows a single "no" vote from the member recorded as Miss Harbaugh.

Other procedural business: a motion to approve consent items (excluding 7.09) carried by voice vote; the meeting then moved to public comment and later to new-business discussion items.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda adoption: Motion by Mr. Hejduk; second by Mr. McKee. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

- Consent agenda (items 7.01'7.1, excluding 7.09): Motion by Mr. Walker; second by Dr. Diller. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

- Item 7.09 (design process for 4'6 intermediate, 7'8 middle and new Grandview Elementary): Motion by Mr. Harbaugh; second by Mrs. Gorgler. Outcome: approved by voice vote. Note: authorization allows architects to begin design billing and to prepare bids; final project cost not specified.

- Homestead Farmstead Exclusion Resolution: Mover not specified in transcript; second recorded. Outcome: approved by roll call, 9'00. Roll call recorded multiple board members voting "Yes."

- 2025-26 Budget Resolution: Mover not specified in the spoken record; transcript records a second by Mrs. Gogler (and a second by Mr. Hayduck in the audio). Outcome: approved by roll call, 8'1 (one "no"). Administration noted the budget includes an early allocation for additional debt service tied to Schools of Distinction.

Board members said the design authorization and the budget allocation will require further board oversight as architects produce detailed cost estimates; members asked for clarity on contingencies, contract administration and construction inspection before any construction contracts are awarded.