Oxford Area SD board approves $6.3M budget transfers, certifies 4.7% tax index and clears $14.5M energy‑savings amendment

Oxford Area School District Board of School Directors on Nov. 18 approved a package of fiscal measures, including $6.3 million in budget transfers, the payment of routine bills and a tax‑index certification that limits the district’s 2026–27 general‑fund tax increase to 4.7% unless voters approve a higher rate.

The board voted to approve payment of bills with the amounts read into the record: general fund $3,380,345; cafeteria fund $133,100; capital projects $11,142; and payroll distribution $3,378,020. Board members moved and seconded the measure and approved it by voice vote.

Why it matters: The tax certification under the Taxpayer Relief Act (Act 1) formally frames the district’s budget baseline for next fiscal year and allows the board to pursue a voter referendum if it decides to exceed the 4.7% index. The budget transfers and fund‑balance designations set how the district will allocate resources and reserves for emergent costs and capital projects.

Among the motions the board approved was Amendment 2 to a Guaranteed Energy Savings Agreement with the contractor described in the record as “the core company.” The board approved that amendment at a contract cost of $14,500,580 and directed that the agreement continue subject to solicitor review and approval; members clarified this sum covers the energy‑savings portion of Phase 2 only, not the entire phase.

The meeting also included a consent motion to assign general fund balance commitments totaling $9.7 million, broken down in the motion as: $1,200,000 (committed), revenue‑shortfall/health care costs $1,350,000, retirement costs $1,800,000, capital projects $2,000,000 and $3,340,000 unassigned. The board approved final curriculum updates and a TCHS barbering‑program survey in the same session.

What’s next: The board certified compliance with section 687 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code when it adopted the Act 1 resolution; officials said the administration will provide required documentation to the Pennsylvania Department of Education within five days. The guaranteed‑savings agreement will proceed to solicitor review before final execution.

Votes at a glance: - Approve Nov. 18 agenda and prior meeting minutes — approved by voice vote. - Approve financial reports (general, revenue, expenditures, cafeteria, capital projects) — approved by voice vote (SEG 268–283). - Approve payment of bills (amounts as read) — approved by voice vote (SEG 300–316). - Approve budget transfers for 2024–25 totaling $6,300,000 — approved (SEG 730–740). - Approve Amendment 2 to Guaranteed Energy Savings Agreement ($14,500,580) — approved, solicitor review required (SEG 822–831). - Certify Act 1 tax index at 4.7% for 2026–27 and authorize referendum eligibility — approved (SEG 853–875). - Assign general fund balance commitments totaling $9.7M — approved (SEG 759–769).

The board’s administration said required filings tied to the tax certification will be submitted to the state Department of Education; further implementation steps for the energy project will depend on final solicitor approval.