Board approves nearly $10 million in state facility grant resolutions; property committee flags $33 million capital need
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Summary
The board approved two Public School Facility Improvement grant resolutions ($5,000,000 for roof work; $4,950,000 for boiler replacements) and heard the Property & Finance committee report that the district may need about $33 million in new bond money to fund 2026 elementary renovations.
The West Chester Area School District board voted to approve two resolutions to pursue state facility improvement grants and heard a Property & Finance committee briefing on capital needs and anticipated borrowing.
At the meeting the Property & Finance committee reported the district’s fiscal forecasts and a background on the bond borrowing process led by financial advisor PFM. Committee materials said the district will need approximately $33,000,000 of new money in 2026 to fund planned elementary renovation projects; administration will continue monthly reviews of projections to reduce potential millage impacts.
The board approved a $5,000,000 Public School Facility Improvement grant resolution to support roof refurbishment and replacement at West Chester East High School and Fugate Middle School. Later the board approved a second resolution for approximately $4,950,000 to fund boiler replacements at East High, Fuqua Middle, Bayard Rustin High and Henderson High. Both motions were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote.
During the committee report, the director of business affairs reviewed 2025–26 expense projection updates (including a $150,000 decrease in salaries and $500,000 decrease in health benefits) and 2026–27 revenue updates that included a $1,000,000 increase in investment income; the committee said prior year savings and those adjustments reduce the 2026–27 budget gap by about $1.65 million. The committee also recommended preparing a parameters resolution to support general obligation bonds for 2026 elementary renovation financing.
Board members and staff indicated the administration will continue to refine projections and follow the property and finance committee’s timeline for any bond issuance and construction agreements.
