Cornwall-Lebanon board adopts $109.8 million final budget, approves multiple contracts and personnel items in unanimous votes

The Cornwall-Lebanon School District Board of School Directors on May 19 approved the district’s proposed final 2025–26 budget of $109,798,102 and set the real estate tax at 19.2698 mills, and during the meeting unanimously approved a series of contracts, payments and personnel actions.

The board voted 8–0 to adopt the proposed final budget and to authorize related routine finance items, including ratification of purchasing bids, depository and investment authorizations and tuition rates prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Board members also approved contracts covering HVAC services and rubbish/recycling removal, payments to campus renovation funds and other capital expenditures, and routine personnel motions.

Votes at a glance - Budget adoption: Approved (8–0). Adopted the Cornwall-Lebanon School District proposed final budget for fiscal year 2025–26 in the amount of $109,798,102 and set the real estate tax at 19.2698 mills. - Siemens HVAC contract (07/01/2025–06/30/2026): Approved (8–0). One-year HVAC maintenance contract for Cornwall Elementary, South Lebanon Elementary, Union Canal Elementary, Cedar Crest High School and Falcon Connector with Siemens Industry Incorporated. - Calais Mid Atlantic LLC refuse and recycling five-year contract: Approved (8–0). Aggregate amount $391,926 for districtwide rubbish and recycling removal services. - ECI Construction change order (GCCO #9) for Falcon Connector project: Approved (8–0). - Pittsburgh Stage contract for stage repair projects using CoStar pricing: Approved (8–0). Amount cited $148,786. - Cedar Crest Campus renovation fund bills payment: Approved (8–0). $1,623,531.63. - Capital reserve fund bills payment: Approved (8–0). $64,888.59. - Food service fund bills payment: Approved (8–0). $292,946.56. - Curriculum approvals for 2025–26 (art, technology education, computer science, music): Approved (8–0). - Cedar Crest High School 2025 graduates list (subject to meeting graduation requirements): Approved (8–0). - Tuition rates (as prepared by Pennsylvania Department of Education): Approved (8–0). Elementary $12,370; secondary $13,528. - Ratify Keystone Purchasing Network fuel and supply bids and related purchasing awards: Approved (8–0). - Approve district depositories and investment program for 2025–26: Approved (8–0). - Approve district bids for athletic equipment and supplies for 2025–26: Approved (8–0). - Ratify various personnel actions (resignations/retirements, leaves, changes in employment, new hires for 2024–25 and 2025–26 pending pre-employment clearances): Approved (8–0). - Appointments: Elected Wesley M. Bensing as board treasurer (one-year term beginning 07/01/2025) and elected Jean Hentz as board secretary (four-year term beginning 07/01/2025): Approved (8–0). - Policy adoptions and first-read placements: Final adoption and placement on the table of listed policies and proposed revisions: Approved (8–0). - Authorize advertising for bids for food service equipment; approve 2025 summer food service program: Approved (8–0). - Approve drivers employed by Bright Bill Transportation (roster per meeting documents): Approved (8–0). - Lebanon Lancaster Joint Authority Extension of Life Resolution (as presented): Approved (8–0). - Executive-session discipline actions (student adjudication): Approved (8–0). The board accepted the finding that a middle school student (24-25-06) violated weapons policy 2.18.1; the board voted to expel the student for up to one calendar year while allowing the superintendent discretion to modify consequences and authorized the solicitor and district administration to prepare written adjudication materials and appeal-rights information.

What the board approved, in context Board members conducted routine business by voice or show-of-hands votes; when financial items were presented the board's motions were moved and seconded and each recorded vote was unanimous (8–0). Several capital and operational contracts and payments were presented by building and finance committees and approved with no recorded dissent.

Several motions included dollar amounts presented to the board and approved: the five-year refuse/recycling contract for $391,926, the Pittsburgh Stage contract at $148,786, and multiple payments for campus renovation and capital reserve funds totaling $1,688,420.22 (campus renovation fund $1,623,531.63 + capital reserve $64,888.59). The board also approved credit reimbursements totaling $36,730.35 and the food service fund bills of $292,946.56.

Student discipline action Following an executive session called to discuss student discipline, the board voted to accept administrative findings that a Cedar Crest Middle School student violated the district’s weapons policy (listed in the meeting as policy 2.18.1) and to expel the student for up to one calendar year. The motion included language giving the superintendent discretion to modify consequences and directed district counsel and administration to prepare formal adjudication paperwork and inform the family of appeal rights and continuing-education options.

Next steps and calendar Superintendent comments at the meeting noted campus construction activity beginning June 11 and a three-year high school renovation project. The board scheduled the next public work session for Monday, June 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the same room.

Ending The meeting concluded after routine adjournment motions; no recorded roll-call dissents were entered during the formal voting sequence.