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Property finance committee reports $2.7 million net change to fund balance; forwards multiple capital-bid awards and a solar grant application
Summary
The West Chester Area School District property finance committee told the board Jan. 27 it had identified $2,706,000 in net changes to district projections and a $61,000 decrease in the projected 2025-26 budget gap, and it recommended multiple capital-reserve bid awards including HVAC, access-control, and the Hillsdale Elementary renovation bids.
The West Chester Area School District's property finance committee on Jan. 21 reported a net change of $2,706,000 to district projections intended to increase the fund balance and reduce the 2025-26 budget gap. Committee members told the board on Jan. 27 that the net of model changes for January reduced the 2025-26 budget gap by $61,000.
Mister Scully presented the forecast and reported a preliminary tax-impact estimate: a 4.5% tax increase for both Chester County and Delaware County in the current models. "This right now is above our Act 1 increase and the administration will continue to review the budget projections for potential savings to reduce the millage impact," the committee reported.
The committee reviewed multiple capital-reserve project bid awards and recommended board approval for several items. Specific awards reported to the board included:
- Stetson Middle School boiler repairs and replacements: award to Bell's Welding and Mechanical Repair for $140,374. - Access control and camera installation and replacement districtwide (East Bradford, East Ocean, Exton, Fern Hill, Glen Acres, Greystone, Penwood elementary schools, the Stone Administration Building, and the North Penn Street property): award to Turnkey Technologies for $355,110.
The committee also presented six contract awards related to the Hillsdale Elementary School renovations and additions, listing contractors and amounts the committee read into the record: Tri County Mechanical (mechanical) $4,300,000; Michael Mechanical (plumbing) $1,300,000; Electri Tech (electrical) $4,400,000; Guy Cooper (sprinkler) $500,000; Twinning Construction (site) $1,800,000; DeWylo Roofing (roofing) $3,000,000. The meeting transcript recorded a total of $24,500,410 for the bids read and a project budget figure stated as "29,138,26" in the transcript.
The committee presented a proposed solar project at East Bradford Elementary School for which the district would apply for a state grant. The figures presented were: a grant request of $169,000; district responsibility $396,000; and a total project cost of $565,000. The committee recommended approval to apply for a 30% maximum grant. If the grant is awarded, the project would return to the board for formal approval.
Committee members also reviewed additional capital items districtwide, including stormwater inlet repairs, East High School track repairs, Henderson High School HVAC pump drive replacements, Penwood Elementary playground seal coating and a new turf field; the committee recommended approval of those capital-reserve projects and bid awards as stated. The property finance committee's next meeting was scheduled for Feb. 18.
The board did not take separate roll-call votes on each bid during the Jan. 27 meeting transcript excerpt; the committee recommended approvals and some items will return to the board for formal action.
