West Chester Area SD property & finance committee approves budget forecast updates, capital awards and solar grant application

The West Chester Area School District property and finance committee on Jan. 21 approved an updated budget forecast, adopted a tax-collection compensation resolution for 2026–2029, awarded multiple capital project contracts and agreed to apply for a solar grant for East Bradford Elementary School.

Harry Scully presented the district’s January budget forecast, reporting higher-than-budgeted revenues that improved the district’s projected ending fund balance by about $2.7 million. Scully said current real estate tax receipts were about $1.5 million higher than budgeted and that investment income had been increased by $1.2 million, leaving the district with a stronger near-term position as it moves toward the 2025–26 budget cycle.

Tax-collection compensation resolution

Committee members approved a required four-year resolution on tax-collection compensation for Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2029. Staff described two options in the resolution: one where local tax collectors collect and are compensated for reasonable expenses (discussion referenced a 55¢ compensation figure as used in past cycles) and a second where tax collectors delegate collection responsibility to the district. The committee voted to adopt the same compensation approach used in the prior two cycles; the vote was recorded as unanimous.

Capital project awards and expenditures

Facilities and operations staff presented and the committee approved the following contract awards (votes recorded by the committee as unanimous):

- Stetson Middle School boiler gasketing and repairs: Bell’s Welding & Mechanical Repair Service — $14,374.90 (project C073). The presenter said earlier work replaced front-end controls and that gasketing both boilers is the current phase. - Access control and camera replacement (project G183): Turnkey Technologies — $355,110.59 (original project budget $500,000; remaining balance noted). The scope covers several elementary schools and the administration building. - District-wide stormwater inlet repairs (G185): Unitax Asphalt Services — $19,880 (original budget $20,000) at multiple schools. - East practice track repairs (G188): Unitax Asphalt Services — $4,065 for asphalt repairs; Keystone Sports Construction — $15,000 for the rubberized surface. - Henderson High School variable speed drive (G192): Tri State HVAC Equipment — $22,776.60 (original budget $22,900). - Penwood Elementary sealcoating (G194): Unitax Asphalt Services — $11,395 (original budget $12,100). - New synthetic turf field at Ruston campus (G197): Keystone Sports Construction — $2,444,577.18 (original project budget $22,700,000; additional funds to be held for unforeseen conditions). The presenter said the project would create a second multi-sport field at the Russell campus and could support rental revenue for tournaments.

Solar grant application for East Bradford Elementary

The facilities department asked for and received committee authorization to submit a solar grant application. Staff said the fully designed project is estimated to cost $565,900; the grant would cover up to 30% (maximum $169,771), reducing an estimated district share to $396,132 if awarded. Staff said the projected payback is roughly eight years assuming the district can sell excess energy back to the utility and access available rebates or credits; they also noted a roof replacement or recode at East Bradford would be required at an estimated $700,000 cost and would affect the overall return calculation. A letter from PECO verifying interconnection requirements was pending at the time of the application; staff said they had contacted PECO and were awaiting the letter.

Hillsdale Elementary renovation and additions

The committee reviewed bids for the Hillsdale renovation and addition project and approved awards to the lowest responsible bidders. The presenter's figures list a total construction bid amount of about $24,552,000 and a total project budget request of $29,130,827 to include soft costs, contingency and professional fees. Selected bid lines the committee approved include:

- General contractor: NCI Construction — $8,938,000. - Mechanical prime: Tri County Mechanical — $4,364,000. - Plumbing prime: Micah Mechanical — $1,376,000. - Electrical prime: Electro Tech — $4,420,000 (other electrical bidders were disqualified or withdrew). - Roofing: Detweiler Roofing LLC — $3,067,500. - Site contractor: 20 Construction — $1,821,510.

Facilities staff said the project will convert Hillsdale’s existing open-plan spaces into traditional classrooms and incorporate native-meadow plantings and pollinator-friendly landscaping in adjacent areas. Presenters also told the committee the total project is about $1 million under the project estimate originally budgeted in March 2024.

Votes and next steps

All awards and the solar grant application request were approved by the committee by unanimous voice vote. Staff said any grant award or large contract award will be brought back to the full school board for final authorization and that project budgets will remain subject to contingency and unforeseen-condition adjustments.

Ending

The committee scheduled its next property and finance meeting for Feb. 18, 2025.