Finance committee advances 2026–27 budget posture, approves grants and staffing items to full board

The Coatesville Area School District finance committee on Jan. 13 recommended several budget‑related actions for the full board. The committee advanced a 2026–27 budget resolution (option B) to remain within the district’s adjusted Act 1 index (4.5%) and noted that the Act 1 base index is 3.5%; the committee emphasized the resolution does not itself increase taxes but signals the district will not seek Act 1 exemptions that would permit tax increases beyond the cap.

The committee also recommended acceptance of the Ready to Learn block grant (tax equity supplement) for 2025–26 and explained that the district typically holds the supplement and allocates it against future debt service to reduce taxpayer impact from recent building projects.

Other recommended actions included ratifying quotations from Valbridge Property Advisors to provide appraisal services for real‑estate tax‑appeal matters (estimated $4,500–$10,000), bundling multiple community donations and service agreements, and advancing several technology and facilities purchases to the full board.

On staffing, administration asked the committee to approve the creation of up to two personal finance teacher positions to comply with new Pennsylvania graduation requirements that mandate a personal‑finance course for students before graduation beginning with the class of 2026–27. Administration said the course would be a 0.5‑credit elective targeted to grade 10 (or students in that cohort), could be staffed by existing teachers where possible, and that creating the positions in the budget allows flexibility if additional hires are needed.

The committee also approved a new paid adviser position for a school news program (520 units) and moved several vendor and service quotes (technology and security) to the board agenda.