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Board reviews budget, staffing proposals and bond financing as construction continues
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Summary
The South Fayette board heard construction progress, a bond-counsel briefing on a not-to-exceed borrowing authorization, and a proposed 2026–27 general fund budget that includes three new student-support positions and a $7.6 million projected deficit under current assumptions.
The South Fayette Township School District board received project updates, a bond-financing overview and a proposed 2026–27 general fund budget at its meeting.
Construction and schedule: A district construction update described steady progress on a multi-level addition (exterior framing and sheathing largely complete; second-floor stud work about 95% complete; first floor near 90%; ground floor roughly 40%), ongoing roof work, air‑barrier installation and forthcoming masonry scaffold mobilization. Work on the bus-garage site is underway; completion milestones for the addition were described as on track for August, while initial foundations for the bus garage were estimated tentatively for July or August pending site work and sediment-basin completion.
Bond financing: Anthony Ditka of Dinsmore & Schohl, bond counsel, summarized a resolution to authorize issuance of bonds for part 2 (phase 2) of district projects. The resolution was described as a ‘‘not-to-exceed’’ authorization with an advertised cap ($44,500,000) that is larger than the expected borrow amount; the counsel said districts commonly create a financing ‘‘box’’ larger than final needs and that the ultimate issuance will depend on market conditions. He reviewed tax-exempt borrowing requirements, the Department of Community and Economic Development review timeline (a 20‑day review after submission), and the anticipated auction timing and closing schedule.
Budget and positions: A district finance presenter laid out the proposed 2026–27 general fund budget: total revenues estimated at $80,310,625 and an early projection for a 2026–27 deficit of about $7,618,000 under current assumptions. The presenter said salary, benefits and debt service drive the largest portions of expenditures (salary and benefits about 69% of the budget). The presentation revisited enrollment trends (a dip tied to a large graduating class), revenue assumptions (including a recommended use of the full Act 1 index at this stage; Act 1 index 4.5% = 1.2465 mills), and various millage scenarios staff will model before final adoption.
The administration also proposed three new positions for inclusion in next year’s budget: a HEART educator (an early-years role focused on executive functioning, social-emotional learning and developmentally appropriate technology/online-safety instruction within the unified-arts schedule), an emotional-support teacher at the intermediate school (expanding a K–2 program to grades 3–5), and a coordinator of integrated student support (an Act 93, full-time coordinator to case-manage tier 2/3 students, oversee the Student Assistance Program and coordinate with outside mental-health agencies). District staff described the roles as additions rather than replacements and said the budget presented contemplates those positions; detailed job descriptions and salary ranges will be provided later.
Fund balance and debt service: The presenter noted a planned $500,000 transfer to capital reserve, continuing prior practice, and described debt-service layering tied to the district’s multi-year construction program through 2028. Staff recommended reserving funds to assure district cash contributions for construction where borrowing capacity or reimbursements may change.
Board action and follow-up: The board approved several consent and business items (including a roll-call approval for one business item). Personnel items — including hiring Adrianne Day as intermediate‑school assistant principal at $85,000 pending required documents — were approved after separate votes; the assistant-principal motion passed with seven votes in favor and two opposed, and two trustees publicly explained their ‘‘no’’ votes as concerns about candidate-job fit. Trustees asked district staff to supply additional budget details, salary ranges for restructured tech positions and program participation numbers by email for items in the business office. The presentation concluded with next steps: a special board meeting scheduled for May 11 to vote on the proposed final budget and a plan to bring a final budget and millage decision to the board on June 16.
No binding financing authorization or final budget vote was recorded in the meeting minutes provided; the bond counsel said the district expects to proceed with auctioning bonds soon and will complete state filings after the bonds are sold.
