Upper Darby School District board adopts budget, hears superintendent update on facilities and possible hospital purchase

Upper Darby, Pa. — The Upper Darby School District Board of School Directors approved a series of routine reports and moved forward with budget items during its Aug. 12 combined work session and regular meeting, while the superintendent outlined summer capital projects, staffing progress and a potential acquisition of Delaware County Memorial Hospital.

Superintendent (S6) opened the meeting with a summary of summer facilities work at multiple buildings — including asbestos abatement, new gym floors, new furniture and HVAC upgrades at Beverly Hills, Hillcrest, Gowerford, Westbrook Park and Primus elementary schools — and progress on the new Clifton Heights Middle School, where steel is already erected. “We are getting ready to open another school year,” the superintendent said, and added the district will hold public meetings about Clifton Heights construction and related redistricting.

The superintendent said district leaders aim to open on schedule and noted staffing progress: “Right now, we have approximately 98% of our professional staff positions filled,” he said, adding that as of Aug. 4 there were 13 unfilled professional positions out of 984. The district will reissue contingency communications before the first day of school about possible instructional adjustments if bus-driver or staff shortages require them.

On budget matters, the finance committee reported a final general fund budget that was presented with a 2.5% tax increase. The board moved to adopt the finance and budget report and the motion carried. The superintendent said the district briefly faced uncertainty earlier in the summer over a cut to Title funds for 2025–26 but that those funds were later released; he said the district continues to await a completed state budget.

The superintendent also mentioned the district’s "solar for schools" grant feasibility work, saying administrators are evaluating operational and financial feasibility and will propose next steps if the evaluation supports proceeding.

Public comment focused on taxes and the district’s fiscal direction. Carl Hemphill (S8), who identified himself as an Upper Darby resident and local business owner, told the board he was concerned about an earned income tax (EIT) and the district’s recent move to acquire a hospital building. “Where’s all this money coming from? It’s coming from guys like me,” Hemphill said, urging fiscal caution and suggesting any EIT start at a lower rate than 1%.

A second public commenter (S9) urged the board to defend medical expertise and to support children’s access to vaccines. The speaker criticized national anti-vaccine figures and urged the board to consider broader funding solutions such as a national infrastructure bank to support schools.

The board adopted multiple routine items during the meeting: approval of the posted agenda, adoption of minutes from June meetings, the secretary’s report, the treasurer’s report, the instruction and curriculum report, the personnel report (which included announcements of new assistant principals), supplies and facilities reports, the food services report and the finance and budget report. Several policies were presented for first reading and one policy was retired to comply with Title IX requirements; the first readings will return for later action.

Deborah Williams (S3), who received a Pennsylvania School Boards Association Honor Roll recognition and serves as the district’s liaison to the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU), gave a brief DCIU update and said she would circulate the unit’s legislative report on request.

What’s next: the district said it will provide photos of completed summer projects next month, continue the feasibility work on the solar grant, and hold public meetings about the Clifton Heights project and redistricting. Several routine items adopted at the meeting will be reflected in posted board documents and on the district’s website.

Votes at a glance — motions recorded as carried: approval of the meeting agenda; adoption of minutes for June 3, June 17 and June 26; adoption of the secretary’s, treasurer’s, instruction and curriculum, personnel, supplies, facilities, food services and finance/budget reports; motion to adjourn. Exact vote tallies were recorded as vocal 'ayes' and the meeting minutes and posted board documents carry the official record.