Eastern York SD board approves new career-technical courses and sets Act 1 index at 4.6%

At its reorganization meeting the Eastern York SD board approved a set of new courses and took several routine fiscal actions, including setting the district’s Act 1 index for the coming budget year.

Curriculum approvals: The board voted to add new career-technical and elective courses, including cybersecurity (with an estimated $500 certification cost per student if pursued), game design and aviation-related classes. Administrators said the course delivery will be a mix of online instruction and hands-on labs. Board members questioned whether aviation/drone instruction depends on JROTC enrollment and how equipment ownership would be handled; administrators said some monitors were provided through the JROTC program while equipment the district purchased would remain district property.

JROTC and enrollment concerns: Board members reported current JROTC enrollment of about 30–32 cadets, with two students coming from a neighboring district. Administrators noted transportation is a limiting factor for inter-district participation and that a van arrangement is under discussion.

Budget and Act 1 index: The board approved setting the district’s Act 1 (referred to in the record as the 'Ackland') index at 4.6% for the 2026 budget year — roughly 1.25 mills — and affirmed that the board would not raise taxes beyond that index. Members compared the new index to the previous year (noted as over 5% in the record) and discussed drivers such as market value and the district’s state-aid ratio.

Other approvals: The board approved the educational planning guide (11.2) with changes to sequencing and added courses, accepted the treasurer’s report and approved routine personnel and operations items (including a driver hire pending paperwork).