CCIU presents budget and expansion plans; Engle Education Center and southern campus growth highlighted
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Summary
The Chester County Intermediate Unit presented its core, occupational education and marketplace budgets; IU officials highlighted opening the Engle Education Center locally and a new career development center planned for 2026, and said they are holding district contributions steady.
Representatives of the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) presented their 2025–26 budgets to the Avon Grove Committee of the Whole and described planned expansion of special education and career-technical facilities.
Dr. Fiori and IU staff said the total proposed CCIU budget is about $364 million across categorical, core, occupational and marketplace services. The IU reported no increase in the core district contribution requested from member districts and described projected increases in occupational-education tuition (proposed 4% increase) and marketplace-service rates (proposed ~3.87% average increase).
The IU highlighted two local capital projects: the Engle Education Center (a local campus opening soon that will provide accessible space for preschool special-education and related services) and a career development center slated to open in August 2026 with capacity for about 200 students. IU presenters said regional demand for preschool special-education and early-intervention services has risen markedly and that new facilities are intended to reduce long student bus rides to more distant campuses.
CCIU staff also described how occupational education tuition is calculated (a three-year average enrollment multiplied by the tuition rate) and provided preliminary district-specific estimates; for Avon Grove they projected occupational education charges of about $2.9 million, an increase of roughly $149,000 driven by slightly higher enrollment.
IU presenters said they will finalize budgets at required county and IU approvals and noted some categorical funding streams (including federal grants) are at risk and are being monitored. Avon Grove finance staff said the IU figures had already been included in preliminary district projections and that the two organizations will continue coordination as the district finalizes its budget.
Board members asked about job placement and program supports; IU staff said a placement report would be provided soon and noted CTE programs include interview and resume supports and pre-apprenticeship work tied to labor and industry partnerships.
There was no vote; the presentation was informational and CCIU staff invited follow-up questions.
