Bristol Township board clears Act 1 index and authorizes up to $22.5 million in bonds for Armstrong Middle School renovation
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Summary
The school board approved an Act 1 real-estate tax index (4.6%) and a bond-parameters resolution allowing up to $22.5 million in tax‑exempt bonds to fund capital improvements, chiefly a renovation of Armstrong Middle School; both measures passed 8–1 after discussion of project needs and timing.
The Bristol Township School District board voted to set its Act 1 real‑estate tax index at a maximum of 4.6 percent for the 2026–27 school year and authorized the parameters for a general‑obligation bond issuance not to exceed $22,500,000 to fund capital improvements, principally a renovation of Armstrong Middle School.
President James Morgan emphasized that approving the Act 1 resolution is a budgetary exercise and does not itself raise taxes: “We are not raising taxes in tonight’s meeting,” he said during discussion of the routine statutory filing. The Act 1 resolution passed on a roll‑call vote, 8–1, with Missus Eakin Cheble casting the lone no vote.
Board members and district staff, joined by a representative from Stifel Nicolaus, described the Armstrong project as urgent. Facilities staff said the 1950s‑era building suffers from failing HVAC and electrical distribution, frequent breaker trips and an underperforming emergency generator. Michael, the district’s facilities representative, said classrooms’ temperatures vary wildly and that crews must manually start the generator if power is lost. He and others argued that substantial work must occur during the summer closure to meet the educational and safety needs of students.
Board members discussed timing and fiscal impact. Stifel Nicolaus staff explained that the bond parameters are designed so the district will not incur debt in the first year, allowing planning and documentation to proceed now and preserving options for final debt incurrence in early 2026. The bond parameters resolution—authorizing the preparation and filing of required documents and a maximum principal amount—also passed 8–1.
The board later accepted a bond purchase proposal from Stifel Nicolaus & Company Inc. as part of the financing process.
Next steps: board and staff will complete required debt‑statement filings and bid documentation before any final decision to issue debt. The board noted that construction is expected to occur when students are not in the building (summer) and that further public notices and timeline details will follow.