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Jersey Shore Area SD board reviews budget, $2.7M bond funds for gym and auditorium upgrades and new CTE grants
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Summary
Superintendent and administrators presented budget line-item updates, highlighted a 91% graduation rate and major Keystone test gains, outlined planned $2.7 million bond-funded projects (gym floors, bleachers, stage floors) for 2026, and announced state grants including a $50,000 award for auto-technology equipment.
The Jersey Shore Area School District board spent the bulk of its March 23 meeting on budget review, capital-project planning and grant news, with administrators outlining academic gains and specific spending plans drawn from previously borrowed bond funds.
Superintendent Dr. Ulmer opened the budget segment and recognized administrators present to answer line‑by‑line questions; he then yielded to the high‑school representative, who said, “Our graduation rate is up to 91 percent.” That improvement, administrators said, will be credited in next year’s building score. The high school reported significant Keystone test gains: algebra proficiency rose to roughly 60% from last year’s 38.3%, and literature proficiency rose to about 65.2% in the district’s report. Administrators described the Keystone retest program and how it helps students meet Act 158 graduation pathways.
On capital projects, buildings and grounds staff reviewed a packet of next‑phase work funded by prior borrowing. The board was told there is about $2,700,000 remaining to spend from that borrowing, with projects planned for 2026 including middle‑school gym floors and bleachers, stage floors in both middle and high school auditoriums, and repainting in the middle‑school gym. “All of that work would get done in 2026 after your approval,” a buildings and grounds representative said, noting vendor quotes and pictures were provided for board review.
District administrators also highlighted CTE grant activity. A district representative announced that Dan Larson, an auto‑technology instructor, received a $50,000 state grant for training vehicles and equipment and that an $85,000 application for the health and medical‑assisting program is pending. The presenter said the state has waived the local matching requirement this year, allowing the district to apply for the full grant amount without a match; the board removed a previously budgeted $15,000 match from the CTE line.
Administrators flagged a handful of budget updates since the board packet was issued: marching‑band travel is now projected at about $15,729 (excluding busing), uniform upgrade quotes for music boosters dropped to $13,363 after boosters agreed to cover extra costs, and other line‑item adjustments were noted. The athletics director reported an $8,000 reduction in planned football equipment spending (from $25,000 to $17,000) and discussed long‑term costs around an athletics video/subscription service.
The board was repeatedly reminded that some figures (insurance renewals, pending grants) are placeholders or subject to final vendor quotes. The administration said it will provide updated documents reflecting the changes discussed.
The next budget steps include a district‑wide presentation and a revenue update at an upcoming meeting before the board’s formal budget adoption.
