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Bermudian Springs board presses for clarity as ACTI facility costs balloon in other districts
Summary
Board members said the district’s working contribution to the Adams County Career & Technical Institute (ACTI) remains $250,000 but expressed concern after hearing other districts discuss much larger building price tags; Bermudian Springs will invite an ACTI representative for details and consider the number again in November.
Bermudian Springs School District leaders told board members they are holding a current working commitment of $250,000 toward the Adams County Career & Technical Institute (ACTI) but urged further clarification after other districts signaled much larger building plans.
At the caucus, Travis (ACTI representative via remote connection) said ACTI is still interviewing a new director and searching for property for a new facility. Justin, the district finance presenter, said the district set aside $250,000 in this year’s budget “for ACTI,” and described an illustration that used a $10,000,000 borrowing example to show how borrowing scales would affect district obligations. Justin said other districts at recent meetings discussed facility cost ranges “anywhere between 60 and 80,000,000,” a discrepancy that would markedly increase Bermudian Springs’ share of debt service if those larger figures were adopted.
Dr. Myers summarized the district’s position: “Two hundred fifty is our number based on the conversations we’ve had and the tax increase that we set aside,” and said that number stands until the board directs otherwise. Board members and the finance staff noted serious budgetary implications if ACTI’s project scope or partner commitments change; Justin observed that moving from the $10,000,000 illustration to a multi‑tens‑of‑millions facility would create substantially higher annual debt service and tuition implications for participating districts.
Justin also said he will place an Act 1 resolution on next month’s agenda related to the district’s tax-index planning, noting the state Act 1 base index is 4% and the adjusted index is 5.4%. That resolution, he said, will state the district’s intent not to exceed the adjusted index unless the board directs otherwise.
Board members said ACTI requested a definitive number quickly so it can aggregate participating districts’ commitments; Dr. Myers and others agreed to invite ACTI staff (Sean) to the November meeting to explain the differing cost estimates and any potential funding sources. Administrators noted ACTI may be pursuing state, federal or ESSER-related funding but stressed no guarantees exist without formal board direction.
Next steps: Bermudian Springs will keep $250,000 as the working commitment while seeking a fuller briefing from ACTI in November before any change to the district’s contribution or long-term tax plans.
