Derry Area School Board adopts tentative $43.9 million budget, approves capital plan and routine items

The Derry Area School District Board of School Directors voted to adopt a tentative budget totaling $43,871,240 for the 2025–26 fiscal year and approved a capital projects budget and a package of routine personnel and purchasing items at a meeting (date not specified).

The tentative budget adopted by the board shows total estimated revenues and other financing sources of $51,188,584 and total estimated expenditures of $43,871,240. Business administrator Mr. Chapel told the board that the only changes since the May 1 presentation were revenue-side adjustments, including an increase to the district’s Homestead/Farmstead allocation that Chapel said "is approximately $220,000" and that the district plans to reflect when it formally sets millage rates in late June. Chapel said the district will file required PDE forms through the Commonwealth’s CFRS system after the vote.

The board also approved a capital project budget for 2025–26. Chapel said the capital plan includes approximately $1.5 million in transfers from the general fund to the capital projects fund and listed priorities including work on four roof areas (about $700,000) and parking-lot and drainage work at the middle and high schools, plus ongoing payments on a UWCTC bond.

In a series of other routine votes, the board: approved personnel resignations and status changes (including approval to move Jenna Cuba to long-term substitute retroactive to Jan. 3, 2025,…