Avon Grove presents 2025–26 expenditures plan; staff outline cuts, curriculum purchases and tech investments

Avon Grove School District staff on the committee of the whole gave a detailed presentation of the proposed 2025–26 expenditures, outlining department-level budgets, recent cost reductions, proposed capital and curriculum purchases, and technology investments. Staff said the budget is built on an assumption of a 3% tax increase and includes proposed uses of fund balance while health-care claim trends could push insurance premiums higher.

Eric (district staff and budget lead) opened the presentation and said the district added about $99,000 in revenue since the prior presentation and that total revenues are projected at approximately $113.4 million. Eric said the district has removed roughly $489,000 in expenditures since the February presentation and more than $1 million since January through a range of reductions across departments.

Key budget figures and proposals described in the meeting:

- Per-pupil spending: The presentation compared Avon Grove—s per-pupil spending to county peers for fiscal year 2022–23. The county average per pupil was cited as $22,553; Avon Grove (AG) was shown at just over $18,000 per pupil, about 20% below the county average.

- Revenues and reserves: The draft remains built on a 3% tax-increase assumption. Staff said the draft includes a planned use of about $5.8 million in fund balance; roughly $4 million of that was identified as transfers to capital projects and planned commitments, leaving about $1.8 million for general operations as presented.

- Curriculum purchases: Teaching and learning staff flagged a major investment in science curriculum that the vendor allowed the district to spread over two years. The full purchase was described as $600,000, with $300,000 reflected in the 2025–26 budget and the remainder pushed into the subsequent year. Other curriculum updates (English language arts and English-language development) are staged through normal review cycles.

- Department-level changes: Principals and directors presented school-level allocations and explained some reallocations to cover consumable science kits and decodable texts; several buildings trimmed copier costs and shifted funds to classroom materials. Special education reported a projected enrollment of about 690 students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and staff said they continue to negotiate vendor contracts to limit cost increases.

- Special education and related revenue: Staff said the district generated roughly $120,000 in revenue this year from neighboring districts that pay tuition for students who attend some of Avon Grove—s programs. Medicaid reimbursements for eligible services were described as about $490,000 last year and continuing upward, per special-education staff.

- Technology and makerspace: Technology staff said the district supports about 6,500 end users and 9,000 devices and proposed continued investments in cybersecurity (endpoint detection and multifactor authentication for secondary students through the existing Clever single sign-on). The district is piloting paid, secure generative-AI products for staff and students rather than relying on free tools. A phased three-year plan for a student makerspace was described; the district listed a laser engraver or comparable cutter as among the more expensive items (approximately $40,000 listed in discussion as the laser-engraver price point). Technology staff also proposed changes to the Chromebook/technology fee model (currently $50 per take-home student, capped at $125 per family) and described moving to optional third-party accidental-insurance plans to reduce family costs while keeping repairs available in-house.

- Activities and athletics: Participation has increased across activities and athletics year over year: the presentation showed a 35.4% increase in paid middle- and high-school activity participation and increases in fall/winter athletics participation at both levels; marching band participation rose from 52 to 63 students.

- Health care and insurance: Eric presented claims data showing rising weekly health-care and prescription costs; multiple rolling-average models were discussed and staff said they are awaiting detailed analysis from benefits consultants. Eric and board members anticipated a significant premium increase and cited a possible 15% or greater increase depending on claims trends and consultant analysis.

Board and public comments: Board members asked for additional detail and context, including year-over-year trend lines and per-student cost impacts for departments. A resident, Stephen (Steve) Shuffleman (resident), urged the board to seek alternatives to recurring tax increases, citing local tax burdens on fixed-income homeowners.

Next steps: Staff will continue to refine the proposed budget; the transcript shows upcoming budget meetings in April and a March 25 meeting with benefits consultants to refine health-insurance projections before final recommendations to the board.

The presentation included references to posted budget materials: staff said a detailed budget book document is available in the board—s file library for members and the public to review and to inform follow-up questions.