Avon Grove board approves business items and consent agenda; budget preview shows 4% preliminary tax increase

The Avon Grove School Board on Feb. 26 approved a package of business-office items and the consent agenda and heard committee reports and a budget preview for fiscal year 2026–27.

Business-office motion: The board moved and voted to approve listed business items (agenda items 5.02–5.12), which included billing periods, the treasurer’s report, a budget-transfer summary, additions to the bus-driver list, a Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) facility agreement, an Energy Transfer Solutions proposal and a New London Township tax-waiver request for a parcel acquired in 2021 (approximately $2,800). During the roll call the board recorded nine 'yes' votes and the motion passed 9–0. Board member Mister White recognized a $7,800 donation from the Raven Grove Education Foundation to support the high school robotics club.

Consent agenda: The board then approved the consent agenda — which included textbook adoption, first- and second-reading board policies, resignations and appointments, supplemental appointments, the appointment of a director of business administration, volunteers, an international exchange student, settlement items, conference and overnight-trip requests, and minutes — by roll call vote, 9–0.

Budget preview and committee reports: Committee reports included an education committee update that principals presented midyear progress on Accelerating Growth & Achievement plans and approved moving a textbook-adoption item to the legislative agenda; the communications committee discussed a potential district Facebook page and outlined a policy-review timeline with a planned launch in May; and committee-of-the-whole materials previewed budget numbers: a preliminary 4% tax increase, proposed use of $8,160,000 in fund balance, total expenditures of $127,700,000 (a 5.77% increase), projected real-estate tax revenue of $72,300,000 and state basic education funding of about $17,800,000. Board members expressed concern about departmental reductions and the impact of a tax increase on older residents; administration said more detailed breakdowns of cuts would be provided as the budget progresses.

Policies and personnel: Several policies were advanced for first reading (special education evaluation, gifted-education policy, career and technical education, tutoring, homebound instruction, attendance) and several were approved for second reading (exemption from instruction, adoption of course studies, adoption of textbooks, resource materials, instructional supplies and lesson plans, and a title change for counseling). The personnel committee met in executive session on Feb. 3 to discuss personnel items, including a possible safety and security specialist; administrators said the staffing proposal stemmed from community input and a safety-review process but that incident-level data was not prepared for tonight’s meeting.

Why it matters: The votes clear routine operational items and advance multiple policies and budget elements toward later decision points. The budget preview signals a preliminary 4% tax increase and continuing budget pressure; the board asked administration for more detailed departmental cut lists and further budget-stage briefings.

Next steps: Several items approved at a committee level will appear on the legislative (policy) agenda for formal adoption at future meetings; administration will provide additional budget detail and the board will consider textbook-adoption materials and policy wording changes at upcoming meetings.