[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6662475,"mediaKeyId","3575002-26430fac61143704bc8d1c7dfb04ab49","parentId",3575002,"title","Board Approves $93,750 First-Year Upgrade to Hough Planetarium; Some Directors Say Cost Should Wait Given Budget Deficit","audioSeconds",593,"startMs",7697000,"endMs",8290000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3575002-26430fac61143704bc8d1c7dfb04ab49&start=7697&end=8290","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3575002-26430fac61143704bc8d1c7dfb04ab49/thumbnail_7697000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6662475/Pennsylvania/Board-Approves-93750-First-Year-Upgrade-to-Hough-Planetarium-Some-Directors-Say-Cost-Should-Wait-Given-Budget-Deficit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662475-5912e3e724ee6e20eb506a665437bcc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157602&Signature=FF2G~w05-1ZjmvD6DnJHUegA33~XnQwvs8y17kWJo51LPTXh9eAA6hQcSDlDbLVaKDM-rs37tjNeMeY3LpmZ8BfJTqV8GRbh43pMzS0agoUu-ybCXjH1P3SZgNzA8mX0AQSKn2w12MF5Ol7nPXO2PQsTk9YBH2hvQjPwWQ85DTTXIKq94oA0vNlNFk5s9ndueMIwmFarxBp~wWbWeuGdX8uggvIyJSm91hRBjmv51bVCABUZgtayK6NiooluXK4wL4IZU2Yw-tBVTx3dZ8WKjAshGTBNTBkjo8TI5v623jQL~GGjebiUl4nXgUGnqD1htv2z~thhDVyksw7n~U4oBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Centennial School District","date","2025-05-28T01:51:21Z","article","The Centennial School District board approved a first-year upgrade and operational stipend for the Hough Planetarium at William Tennant High School on Tuesday, voting 7–2 to award Kasim Inc. a contract not to exceed $93,750 for the initial upgrade and staffing stipend.

Supporters said the upgrade would allow the district to bring the planetarium back into active instructional use, align science instruction with new standards and generate future outreach and revenue opportunities. “This would get it up and running for our students internally,” said a district presenter, laying out a multiyear plan that would pursue grants, donations and community partnerships to fund later, costlier projector upgrades.

Several board members questioned whether the expenditure was appropriate while the general fund shows a multi‑million-dollar deficit and reserves are being drawn down. Board member Ginhart urged the board to delay nonessential spending until grant and donation options were exhausted. “At a time when our budget is in the condition that it’s in…$93,000 to get it up and running seems like an awful lot of money,” Ginhart said.

District staff replied that the $93,750 figure is a year‑one cost for new software, a computer workstation and a stipend to operate the system; a full projector upgrade would cost substantially more in year two or three and would be pursued only if external funding is obtained. Presenters pointed to potential NASA and foundation grants and to a plan for the district to host regional school visits and community events as revenue sources over time.

The final vote was 7 in favor, 2 opposed. The motion (5.2 e) specified district cost not to exceed $93,750 to Kasim Inc. to upgrade software/hardware and provide a stipend for planetarium operations. The board recorded no amendments to the motion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CSD School Board - Committee of the Whole - May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a first-year $93,750 upgrade for the Hough Planetarium software and workstation (vendor Kasim Inc.), passing 7-2 after debate about timing given the district’s fiscal shortfall.","taxTitle","Centennial SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",38634,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6662479,"Centennial Board Approves Proposed 2025–26 Budget Ceiling; Board Warns Fund Balance Will Drop",5006,2218000,7224000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3575002-26430fac61143704bc8d1c7dfb04ab49&start=2218&end=7224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3575002-26430fac61143704bc8d1c7dfb04ab49/thumbnail_2218000.jpg","/articles/6662479/Pennsylvania/Centennial-Board-Approves-Proposed-202526-Budget-Ceiling-Board-Warns-Fund-Balance-Will-Drop","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662479-dc3d2776388597f5962612057c9f50a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157602&Signature=pAGBE97bdIdT3uaWYV~dCK6XSrRCU3-vQGtfhX~xRAfCRWi~jbJCKVpBNWVEt-9ITacN-Rkuu65eePhNvNJZ-SDIMpWozhcKc8SZnHlOY1qi5o1-XWn7dBd8lwlOZBlpKJMGd0mXwFVvHxJqAwO2sRnVQOacroIIBawbTzAv~qJjTKopX~k~fsXqgt79S1viu4SACTqCwzQBCQGZXqV-FgBfinXAf79l~rH7MvC-oGcEYbNX45aG5hG8hN8NCMzToo9cklAfEmMPkZuv-Tc2~VOHv15ebxW-FDRoBIjaWartF5puqSUT11gNIQkSfM1Cg~0SGbNMVPuouGc0iSaSbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Centennial School District board approved the proposed final 2025–26 general fund budget Tuesday, authorizing display and advertising under Act 1 of the Pennsylvania school code and setting the district’s ceiling for tax increases. The motion passed 5–4 on a roll-call vote.

The proposed final budget lists total revenues of $150,970,762 and total expenses of $156,790,223, producing a projected deficit of approximately $5,800,000 to be funded from the district’s reserves. The board noted that the Act 1 index used in the proposal is 4 percent for the calculation period; adopting the proposed final budget preserves the district’s option to use the Act 1 increase but does not raise property tax rates beyond the index.

Finance staff presented the budget and the five-year forecast, noting several drivers: continued growth in special-education costs, deferred technology refresh needs (this year’s plan includes a doubled technology refresh), flat state funding and a return to pre-pandemic levels of some federal funding. The district’s projected fund balance at 06/30/2026 was shown at about 4.5 percent of expenses, below the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s recommended 8 percent.

Board members raised questions about the low projected fund balance and the implications for bond ratings. “Would this affect the FISA rating agency?” asked a board member; finance staff said lower fund balances can reduce bond ratings and that refinancing plans were under discussion in committee. Board member Martin said he could not support a budget that would reduce reserves by roughly $6 million.

A separate motion to table the Act 93 administrators compensation plan (item 3.2) passed in a separate roll-call vote; board members asked HR and finance staff to review the compensation plan and provide additional analysis before the board takes action.

Roll-call tally on motion 3.3 (proposed final budget): Martin — no; Hartline — yes; Sadowski — no; Crosson — no; Brancato — yes; Ginhart — yes; Lynch — no; Godickson — yes; McGuire — yes. The chair announced: “Motion passes 5–4.”

Speakers during the budget presentation included Dr. Ben in his superintendent report and Mister Greenwood, who presented the financial forecast and the budget assumptions. The board was advised that final adoption will occur in June 2025 and that some numbers remain subject to change pending the state budget and final revenue figures.

The board also heard that the district expects to refinance several series of bonds in coming months to capture potential interest-rate savings, and that projected savings are contingent on market conditions. Several board members urged continued work to identify expense reductions and to monitor fund-balance levels.","The board approved a proposed final general fund budget that sets an Act 1 ceiling and shows a $5.8 million deficit to be covered by reserves; members expressed concern about a declining fund balance and potential bond-rating impacts.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6662483,"Centennial Board Appoints Dr. Abraham Lukabaugh as Superintendent over Public Opposition; Vote 5-4",3681,3044000,6725000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3575002-26430fac61143704bc8d1c7dfb04ab49&start=3044&end=6725","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3575002-26430fac61143704bc8d1c7dfb04ab49/thumbnail_3044000.jpg","/articles/6662483/Pennsylvania/Centennial-Board-Appoints-Dr-Abraham-Lukabaugh-as-Superintendent-over-Public-Opposition-Vote-5-4","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662483-86988e4099ef8ceb1a2cd2b7c82cd77d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157602&Signature=TOW7uad1A5bmW4U6-NMRFNrMONTiN~Ub~aXpebTkwg~fjhV9LWRUZsnA-lITc3cVR5frak9GNMtmBZlZ-Yj~V1m2B2k204rOXMmHSwGE9JH9w5AisnAk5-Zlu6~F-JhwEaagE6N8mKLYb~6K~sk81QPIJLBmvHIa8U3xPPmHFtPX9SvdmMP1Er7dsiURfPnn3pcbJ6SLehRns4INB6vzFeQNwR7o1K1wByqCn0k1WR8W9rp1uFYKGsM28QAniFLniH6mtGczCJvTZauyc4rHk~ad489vJDLZ05ng7BGZNpTQ2vQwTu-x01vo-QP-VSqbPUob3GbNLscuRJsB4eChCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Centennial School District board of school directors approved the appointment of Dr. Abraham Lukabaugh as superintendent in a 5-4 roll-call vote Tuesday evening, after more than an hour of public comment both for and against the candidate.

The vote followed a motion to approve “Dr. Abraham Lukobar [Lukabaugh] as superintendent of the Centennial School District subject to terms and conditions set forth in the superintendent's contract,” with two board-added limits: conference reimbursements capped at two per year (total cost capped at $7,000) and professional organization membership capped at $7,000. The motion passed 5–4.

The hiring drew repeated public criticism at the meeting’s public-comment period. Tina Cairns, a Warminster resident, cited news reports and said Dr. Lukabaugh had been a visible supporter of controversial Central Bucks policies, including library-material restrictions and a ban on some flags. “Do not vote for someone who lies about his past and then takes no responsibility for it,” Cairns said. Several other speakers, including Nicole Lynch (Southampton) and Neil Miller (Warminster), urged the board to reopen the search and questioned the terms of the contract and the candidate’s record at his prior district.

Opponents repeatedly raised that Dr. Lukabaugh left his prior district amid controversy and that a large separation payment and legal costs were reported in news coverage. “He can try to blame all of Central Bucks’ ills during his tenure on their school board, but his words, his actions, they speak louder,” Cairns said.

Supporters who addressed the board at the forum last week and at Tuesday’s meeting urged decisionmakers to judge the candidate on the full record presented during Centennial’s interview process. “Resist the mockingbird media who sensationalizes everything for the headlines,” said Ed Chaudhry, a Warminster resident who attended the candidate forum. Several speakers described Dr. Lukabaugh as articulate and expressed optimism about his ability to lead.

Board discussion before the vote included comments that the candidate had ranked highly in the district’s selection process and references to the limited number of finalists. The board president introduced the contract caps for conference and professional association reimbursements that were added before the roll call.

Roll-call tally on motion 3.1: Hartline — yes; Godickson — yes; Martin — no; Crosson — no; Sadowski — no; Brancato — yes; McGuire — yes; Ginhart — yes; Lynch — no. The chair announced: “Motion passes 5–4.”

The contract language was discussed briefly at the meeting; some public commenters and board members asked for HR and legal staff to review contract provisions and potential financial and legal risks as the hire moves into implementation.

The decision follows several weeks of community meetings, media reports and a public forum held by the district. The board president noted adjustments to the contract before seeking the vote. The board did not hold a separate recorded vote on the contract’s separation terms at the meeting.

Speakers at the meeting who addressed the appointment included parents, educators and other residents as well as board members who explained procedural aspects of the selection process. The board indicated the appointment is subject to the signed contract and the district will proceed with onboarding steps.","After more than an hour of public comment largely opposing the hire, the Centennial School District board approved the contract for Dr. Abraham Lukabaugh in a 5-4 roll-call vote. The board added two caps to contract reimbursements before the vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board Approves $93,750 First-Year Upgrade to Hough Planetarium; Some Directors Say Cost Should Wait Given Budget Deficit

Centennial Board Approves Proposed 2025–26 Budget Ceiling; Board Warns Fund Balance Will Drop

Centennial Board Appoints Dr. Abraham Lukabaugh as Superintendent over Public Opposition; Vote 5-4