Avon Grove board approves CCIU budgets and authorizes display of proposed final 2025-26 budget

The Avon Grove School District Board of School Directors voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) core services and occupational education budgets and to authorize display and advertising of the district's proposed final 2025-26 budget.

The board approved the CCIU core services budget of $41,280,072 and the CCIU occupational education budget of $34,527,909, each by 8-0 roll-call votes. Later in the meeting the board voted 8-0 on a resolution (206-1) to approve the district's proposed final 2025-26 budget and to authorize the required public display and advertising prior to final adoption in June.

The administration's presentation to the Committee of the Whole included a 10-year capital projects plan and updated projections for the general fund. The business office reported an estimated ending fund balance for 2024-25 of $3,972,827 and projected an ending available balance of about $1,100,000 for 2025-26. In light of long-term outlooks and anticipated increases in health-care costs, the administration recommended maintaining a 3% tax increase that is already included in the proposed budget.

Board members discussed the recommendation in public session. Board member Mister DeMott said the district's revenue projections and fund balance could support a lower millage and proposed a more modest increase; Mister Carsley agreed to meet with DeMott for further discussion before the final budget vote in June. No formal amendment to the recommended 3% was made at the meeting.

The capital plan included several projects phased over multiple fiscal years: a storage building and bathroom/locker-room upgrades at Avon Grove High School; stage curtain and bathroom/locker-room work at Avon Grove Middle School; HVAC recommissioning and resealing of windows and doors at Avon Grove Intermediate School and the Early Learning Lab; and a new maintenance truck and plow for district operations. The inclusion of several significant projects, notably a middle school roof, pushed some initiatives into the 2026-27 planning year.

Administration also flagged alternatives and funding notes: a security camera purchase at AGIS for $97,000 with $62,000 of that amount expected to be covered by a grant, additions to long-range safety and security projects, and scheduling of certain vendor onboarding for electronic payments to streamline the business office.

What's next: The budget will be finalized in June. The board authorized public display and advertising of the proposed final budget, which starts the formal public comment period and the statutory notice requirements ahead of the June vote.