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, paid at 85% of bachelor’s step 1 under the DAEA contract); authorized purchase of 260 replacement desks for Grandview Elementary from Corbett Inc. at an estimated cost of $52,000 under a Sourcewell contract; approved a $4,500 agreement with West Media Group to broadcast commencement; approved specified field trips and after‑school activities pending conditions; and approved attendance for one employee at a Duquesne University conference on May 2, 2025, at an estimated cost of $66.58. All motions carried.

The board’s discussion also included a question-and-answer exchange about recent rankings published by U.S. News & World Report. Dr. Long, who identifies himself as the district superintendent in the record, defended district outcomes and explained methodological limits of that ranking for the high school level. "I'm not gonna stress pushing students to take an AP exam so that our scores are manufactured to look a little better when it's not in the best interest of our families or our students," Long said, describing the district’s emphasis on dual enrollment and Career & Technical Education pathways as an alternate route for college and career readiness. Long also cited state ACT 13 building-level scores and a 94.4 percent graduation rate as additional context for district performance.

During nonagenda public comment, community members thanked volunteers and district staff for Memorial Day programming and for work on the district amphitheater. Board members and staff also noted an ongoing problem with audio for remote listeners and asked residents experiencing issues to contact the district’s help desk so technology staff can troubleshoot and consider a brief public tutorial on common fixes.

Votes at a glance

- Adopt tentative 2025–26 budget: approved (motion adopted by roll call; tally: 7 yes, 0 no). Total estimated revenues and other financing sources: $51,188,584; total estimated expenditures: $43,871,240; revenues reported as $40,818,000 with a fund-balance plug of $3,053,047.

- Adopt 2025–26 capital projects budget: approved (voice/roll call; tally: 7 yes, 0 no). Includes approximately $1,500,000 in transfers from general fund and estimated $700,000 for roof work on four areas.

- Personnel resignations/retirements (agenda items 8a–8d): approved (voice vote; tally: 7 yes, 0 no).

- Change in employment status: approve change of Jenna Cuba to long-term substitute retroactive to 01/03/2025 at 85% of bachelor’s step 1 per DAEA contract: approved (voice vote; tally: 7 yes, 0 no).

- Employee conference attendance (employee 125 to attend Duquesne University on 05/02/2025): approved (voice vote; tally: 7 yes, 0 no).

- Athletics items a–e: approved (voice vote; tally: 7 yes, 0 no).

- Purchase of 260 replacement desks for Grandview Elementary from Corbett Inc. (Sourcewell): approved (voice vote; tally: 7 yes, 0 no). Estimated cost: approximately $52,000; quantity: 260 desks; phased replacement to address safety concerns from metal wear.

- Agreement with West Media Group to broadcast commencement at a cost of $4,500: approved (voice vote; tally: 7 yes, 0 no).

- Field trips and after‑school activities (enclosed list, pending event conditions): approved (voice vote; tally: 7 yes, 0 no).

Why it matters

Adopting a tentative budget establishes the district’s spending and revenue framework for the school year beginning July 1, 2025, and triggers required public-inspection periods and state reporting. The capital budget vote commits local funds to facility work and maintenance projects the district said it intends to complete over the coming years. Personnel and contracting votes finalize routine staffing and purchasing decisions that affect classroom operations and extracurricular programs.

What’s next

The board will present a Homestead/Farmstead resolution and formally set millage rates at a subsequent meeting (the board referenced June 26 in the record). Projects and purchases approved will proceed through administrative implementation or additional procurement steps as required by district policy and the underlying Sourcewell or other contract terms.

Sources and attribution

Quotes and details above are drawn from board discussion and public record statements by Mr. Chapel (business administrator) and Dr. Long (superintendent) as recorded in the meeting transcript.