Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Upper Darby board hears budget timeline, capital‑project planning and committee updates
Summary
Superintendent Dr. McGarry told the board the district must adopt a balanced budget by June 30 under the Act 1 timeline, that the board voted in December to avoid raising taxes above the adjusted index, and that capital‑planning (including Delaware County Memorial Hospital facility planning) will proceed with public updates and a pending architect recommendation.
Upper Darby School District Superintendent Dr. McGarry told the board the district must adopt a balanced budget by June 30 under the state Act 1 process and that administration has recommended the board not exceed the adjusted tax index.
"Our board in December already voted to opt out of increasing above the adjusted index," Dr. McGarry said, noting the district faces uncertainty about state and federal funding that will affect final budget choices. He said the administration will provide public budget updates in March, April and May as the district prepares a final balanced budget for adoption by June 30.
The superintendent also described work under way on capital planning. He said an administration‑led committee will support community involvement in a Delaware County Memorial Hospital facility planning effort and that the board will be asked to approve an architect and engineering firm before project work proceeds. Marvin Lee and CFO Craig Rogers were cited as staff leads on capital projects.
Dr. McGarry framed the budget conversation around local affordability: "We know that our constituents in this community cannot afford major tax increases," he said, and reminded the board that state law constrains the timeline for adoption while funding levels remain unclear.
Board members also received committee updates related to finance and operations. Mr. Fields summarized the Dec. 16 Finance & Operations meeting, saying there were no items to vote on that night but that staff reported a capital projects update and identified a cost‑saving change to bathroom renovations.
The meeting included routine, consent‑style approvals of previously posted agendas, minutes and departmental reports. The board disclosed it had held a closed session earlier in the evening from 6:00 p.m. to 7:31 p.m. for personnel and litigation matters under Pennsylvania Act 93 of 1998.
What happens next: administration will return with public budget presentations across the spring public meeting schedule; the board will consider architect/engineering firm recommendations and any proposed budget measures before the June 30 adoption deadline.
