Central York SD reviews capital reserves after $2.9M in unplanned repairs
October 17, 2025 | Central York SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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Central York School District staff reported to the Business Operations Committee on Oct. 16 that the district completed about $2.9 million in capital projects this year, more than half of which officials described as unplanned emergency repairs that reduced the capital reserve to roughly $23,000 on paper until expected grant reimbursements arrive.
The update summarized four years of capital spending and noted the district has invested about $7.3 million over that period. Facilities staff said an earlier eight-year projection of roughly $22 million, when combined with a newly identified $9.5 million need for full HVAC replacements at North Hills and Sinking Springs, now totals about $31.5 million; after current year work, staff said about $24 million remains to be scheduled and funded through the planning horizon.
The presentation listed both planned and emergency work completed this year: a $330,000 pool filter and valve repair that staff said restored expected water clarity; replacement of a failed fire pump at Sinking Springs to keep the sprinkler system operational; repair of a collapsed four-inch pipe feeding domestic water that cost about $5,800 and fixed overheating fixtures at the high school; replacement of backflow preventers; and a roughly $184,000 chiller ordered for Round Town because replacement control units were unavailable. Facilities staff also noted a $1.6 million final payment on a high‑school HVAC replacement project that originally cost just over $2 million and finished under budget.
Other items on this year’s list included a $593,000 high‑school camera-system replacement, a middle‑school performing‑arts auditorium upgrade described as a safety and infrastructure project budgeted at about $1,150,000, and work on a high‑school heat pump and roof repairs. Staff noted insurance recoveries: about $105,000 in one year for storm roof damage, more than $70,000 for a recent campus wind event, and $83,000 this year for a delivery truck that damaged the bus‑ramp overhang.
Facilities staff described several process improvements: preventive‑maintenance planning, cross‑training to avoid single points of failure, and an efficiency review of work‑order assignment. Staff reported the facilities team completes roughly 2,400 to 2,700 work orders annually across seven district buildings (eight if the committee room is counted). They said vehicle replacement has been standardized after a prior year in which two maintenance trucks failed inspection and required immediate replacement at roughly $78,000–$82,000 each.
On timing and grant funding, staff said the district has applied for and expects to receive approximately $250,000 from PCCD safety grants when the state releases funds; that reimbursement would reduce the district’s net capital outlay for camera replacement. Several projects were marked as paused or pending because of the state budget impasse, including wireless access‑point replacements that could be pushed into next year’s capital plan.
Looking ahead, staff told the committee the long list of remaining infrastructure needs includes phone‑system replacement (estimated at about $300,000), phased replacement of many rooftop HVAC units, camera upgrades across other schools, scoreboard and lighting upgrades at the stadium, and the previously mentioned full HVAC replacements at North Hills and Sinking Springs. Staff proposed returning to the committee in January or February with a revised eight‑year projection that incorporates recent work and updated contractor estimates.
Committee members asked whether large projects such as the middle‑school performing‑arts work could be pushed into the next fiscal year; staff said equipment had already been ordered in some cases at discounted prices, and some final invoices may fall after July 1, which could shift a portion of costs into the next capital year. Staff emphasized they will continue to adjust the plan based on grant receipts and operational priorities.
The district’s presentation and staff answers to committee questions constituted the update; committee members did not take a recorded formal vote on spending during the meeting.
The update summarized four years of capital spending and noted the district has invested about $7.3 million over that period. Facilities staff said an earlier eight-year projection of roughly $22 million, when combined with a newly identified $9.5 million need for full HVAC replacements at North Hills and Sinking Springs, now totals about $31.5 million; after current year work, staff said about $24 million remains to be scheduled and funded through the planning horizon.
The presentation listed both planned and emergency work completed this year: a $330,000 pool filter and valve repair that staff said restored expected water clarity; replacement of a failed fire pump at Sinking Springs to keep the sprinkler system operational; repair of a collapsed four-inch pipe feeding domestic water that cost about $5,800 and fixed overheating fixtures at the high school; replacement of backflow preventers; and a roughly $184,000 chiller ordered for Round Town because replacement control units were unavailable. Facilities staff also noted a $1.6 million final payment on a high‑school HVAC replacement project that originally cost just over $2 million and finished under budget.
Other items on this year’s list included a $593,000 high‑school camera-system replacement, a middle‑school performing‑arts auditorium upgrade described as a safety and infrastructure project budgeted at about $1,150,000, and work on a high‑school heat pump and roof repairs. Staff noted insurance recoveries: about $105,000 in one year for storm roof damage, more than $70,000 for a recent campus wind event, and $83,000 this year for a delivery truck that damaged the bus‑ramp overhang.
Facilities staff described several process improvements: preventive‑maintenance planning, cross‑training to avoid single points of failure, and an efficiency review of work‑order assignment. Staff reported the facilities team completes roughly 2,400 to 2,700 work orders annually across seven district buildings (eight if the committee room is counted). They said vehicle replacement has been standardized after a prior year in which two maintenance trucks failed inspection and required immediate replacement at roughly $78,000–$82,000 each.
On timing and grant funding, staff said the district has applied for and expects to receive approximately $250,000 from PCCD safety grants when the state releases funds; that reimbursement would reduce the district’s net capital outlay for camera replacement. Several projects were marked as paused or pending because of the state budget impasse, including wireless access‑point replacements that could be pushed into next year’s capital plan.
Looking ahead, staff told the committee the long list of remaining infrastructure needs includes phone‑system replacement (estimated at about $300,000), phased replacement of many rooftop HVAC units, camera upgrades across other schools, scoreboard and lighting upgrades at the stadium, and the previously mentioned full HVAC replacements at North Hills and Sinking Springs. Staff proposed returning to the committee in January or February with a revised eight‑year projection that incorporates recent work and updated contractor estimates.
Committee members asked whether large projects such as the middle‑school performing‑arts work could be pushed into the next fiscal year; staff said equipment had already been ordered in some cases at discounted prices, and some final invoices may fall after July 1, which could shift a portion of costs into the next capital year. Staff emphasized they will continue to adjust the plan based on grant receipts and operational priorities.
The district’s presentation and staff answers to committee questions constituted the update; committee members did not take a recorded formal vote on spending during the meeting.
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