[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6476501,"mediaKeyId","5725048-8d5adb71ef122562f2446c5353a11629","parentId",5725048,"title","Committee ratifies two annual student transportation agreements, totaling up to $17,000","audioSeconds",33,"startMs",1664000,"endMs",1697000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5725048-8d5adb71ef122562f2446c5353a11629&start=1664&end=1697","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5725048-8d5adb71ef122562f2446c5353a11629/thumbnail_1664000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6476501/Pennsylvania/Committee-ratifies-two-annual-student-transportation-agreements-totaling-up-to-17000","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476501-c45e811fb41893bfa0b90d5fe0323d53/orig.mp4?Expires=1770693701&Signature=TrWI4ihD4fWjnNxV-OEmfEGhNQWLbWSKiMwe19a7JJGj5rwnh88auUMxEUICGoTpIvMuAGggWdSG-AOzIArIW9l5N6wGqHnm5Zx6ZzI5RM5GBKWzX7jW62poQw1VFgWcMFXAwVfWyG2s15lPmDg0PRTUrLNn5EtI0--HWuwRfRVGAXRNG5dlIImkidcYMVhqQvwwBdfeLzaZ9UQDjjVP35BwIhO~SHY3WXxiA88P0gWe6FUSTLDEj7WwnioOijYdj4W36FnjmA0OR996ixwGAwT7AI6qEclv-J8uQsPLK6SgS~-HlcAzuGpb8e-nDmQzRZ2IU3e6cXYhEUgVxw9JKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Upper Dublin School District","date","2025-09-06T23:58:08Z","article","The Upper Dublin School District finance committee on Aug. 20 approved two transportation agreements with a student’s family: one ratifying extended-school-year (ESY) summer transportation capped at $3,000 and a second agreement for the 2025–26 school year capped at $14,000.

Staff said these types of agreements are used when the district cannot provide specialized transportation for significant out-of-district cases and that this family’s arrangement has been approved in the prior three years. The ESY agreement required ratification because it covered summer services already provided; the 2025–26 agreement secures transportation for the coming school year.

Staff noted the agreements are used sparingly and are mutually beneficial in the specific cases where they are applied. The committee approved both agreements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","UDSD Finance Committee Meeting (8/20/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The finance committee approved two annual student-transportation agreements with a family: an ESY summer agreement not to exceed $3,000 and a 2025–26 school-year agreement not to exceed $14,000.","taxTitle","Upper Dublin SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",60292,"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},6476506,"Finance committee reviews closeout projections and tax collections; resident raises questions about 4% tax increase",266,1085000,1351000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5725048-8d5adb71ef122562f2446c5353a11629&start=1085&end=1351","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5725048-8d5adb71ef122562f2446c5353a11629/thumbnail_1085000.jpg","/articles/6476506/Pennsylvania/Finance-committee-reviews-closeout-projections-and-tax-collections-resident-raises-questions-about-4-tax-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476506-6361c480282284535c1fe90b45861f2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770693701&Signature=f4owXskMm8Zvuv1sBMqltJ2UVaytBUh9Vjxra9xVqjTy-SsIB1rYi5m-KAnvTec2tLqmV-9jMntqUGNdYG0xpx0nPt5IabO4Sd6NE~Bjgspq-mYZ5Cg3dmOYyTdw-9B6tD5~vbRuZXIMfYnr1I51mnz1XuxVLQ2C309WN3KctRDDlOCudRli6VnbMuQd1ZmMnDPRh7-jJpjg1QYch77E4G4Uq5ADwxYVhI1c7i67xht29~8tuala8VDKHXdiowNZMvrBMKDOdQcGrYtDZAMSGn-JTW-3i2rBDtmUJ1oj-kVSyTe18EUm4-DydW64Xiry78XqXsRAB1b0lPKI9V7JAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Upper Dublin School District staff presented June and July financial reports to the finance committee on Aug. 20, outlining a projected year-end surplus of about $5.3 million, updates on tax collections and a summary of outstanding reconciliation items.

Staff said June closeout remains in progress ahead of auditors’ visits in September and reiterated two open reconciliation items: PECO utility billing issues that affected multiple accounts and reconciliation of out-of-district tuition for student placements. Staff said July collections reported through the tax collector totaled about $11.9 million, or roughly 13.5% of expected annual property-tax receipts. The packet also showed the district received a first meaningful assessment on the property at 1125 Virginia Drive that added about $5.5 million in assessed value (not tax dollars) to the digest.

On projections, staff said they previously estimated a $4.9 million surplus and that current figures increased that projection to $5.3 million; the recommendation is to retain surplus funds in the general fund to help cover a $3.5 million structural budget gap and to maintain the unassigned fund balance near the district’s 7% guideline rather than transferring to capital reserves.

Staff also briefed the committee on broader budget context. The state budget process remained unresolved well past the statutory June 30 target; staff said the district receives about $24 million in state funding but has sufficient property-tax receipts and fund balance near-term to maintain operations. On federal funding, staff said a July notice temporarily put $58,500 of a roughly $150,000 Title grant at risk but that the federal administration subsequently reopened the consolidated application and the district resubmitted and expects to receive those funds.

During the public participation period, resident Ben Gravina of Willowmere asked why his property-tax bill increased about 4% despite growth in earned-income tax receipts and new rental/apartment developments. Gravina said, “when I open up my mail and I see a 4% increase in my school property tax, it had me a little — it raised questions for me,” and asked whether new developments and higher collections meant the district should not need to raise the rate. District staff said a detailed response would take a longer, separate conversation and encouraged Gravina and other residents to review the district’s March–June budget presentations and supporting narrative available online or to meet one-on-one with staff for a detailed explanation.

Committee members stressed the strain the late state budget causes districts and thanked staff for preparing contingency plans. The committee approved moving the monthly financials forward for committee review and recommended staff provide further detail to residents who request it.","The finance committee reviewed June and July financials, reported a projected $5.3 million surplus, noted $11.9 million in July tax collections and a new assessed value of $5.5 million for 1125 Virginia Drive; resident questioned a 4% tax increase and district staff offered follow-up.",{"_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},6476512,"District recommends $1.09 million CoStars contract with Keystone to replace fire-alarm systems across four buildings",122,862000,984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5725048-8d5adb71ef122562f2446c5353a11629&start=862&end=984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5725048-8d5adb71ef122562f2446c5353a11629/thumbnail_862000.jpg","/articles/6476512/Pennsylvania/District-recommends-109-million-CoStars-contract-with-Keystone-to-replace-fire-alarm-systems-across-four-buildings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476512-33689b78e44a29c2451c831f22d11ce4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770693701&Signature=gWEJ2l1eL3W01uymMlzZcWrITES2VgNjZamy7jvq5UEK1lHNZvPIs4YktuLLNfWUvmABCeIZ9BVG7J2ZL-JHNjz1N-sJcqEH3yroAjY21nGpglV-kpy740Ly7B2z163yKlHedaQh3Ls8cb66-jpAJ8qwnvW1NOZcFpt9nutuPZ-QKQO1UIgJRwBJFCVpHnQOxFKobpPJ-Azck3ZOLo2xsRgzOkE2VTU-g5KAgKvN1cPx5qjaCtthQV6AIKJCxENxsBgheM-vSYjhFEmfNUHMGYK46nLndphuoqmnVhEaAlSCTg5Ru3jZdpzAh~fAiqtbMBdG6THfwGHoPn9P7dC6YQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Upper Dublin School District staff told the finance committee on Aug. 20 that, after two unsuccessful public bid cycles, they recommend contracting with Keystone Fire and Security—via a CoStars contract—to replace fire-alarm systems in four district buildings at an estimated cost of $1,088,327.17.

Facilities staff said the first bid cycle produced bids far above the district’s estimate and the second cycle rendered two bids invalid and a third with a price well above projections; as a result, staff pursued a CoStars contract and received a proposal from Keystone covering Fort Washington Elementary, Maple Glen Elementary, Thomas Fitzwater Elementary and the district office.

Staff recommended approving the Keystone contract and said the work is being scheduled so that the majority of installation will not disrupt the school year. The presentation noted that while some tasks may occur during the academic year to ease summer workload, the project plan anticipates most work to be completed in 2026.

Committee members asked whether current fire systems were operable; staff said existing systems still function but are increasingly obsolete, with manufacturers no longer producing some replacement parts. Staff characterized the CoStars procurement as a valid procurement path following the two failed bid cycles.

The committee approved moving the Keystone agreement forward. Staff said funding will come from the capital reserve fund and that timing of expense recognition depends on when work occurs relative to the fiscal year-end.","After two failed bid cycles, Upper Dublin staff recommended and the finance committee approved proceeding with Keystone Fire and Security via CoStars for a $1,088,327.17 fire-alarm replacement across four buildings; majority of work scheduled over summer and into 2026.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6476516,"Maple Glen roof work completed; committee approves $272,454 change orders after rotten plywood found",103,476000,579000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5725048-8d5adb71ef122562f2446c5353a11629&start=476&end=579","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5725048-8d5adb71ef122562f2446c5353a11629/thumbnail_476000.jpg","/articles/6476516/Pennsylvania/Maple-Glen-roof-work-completed-committee-approves-272454-change-orders-after-rotten-plywood-found","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476516-4d955c9356ab9d28b97c6323d427eb7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770693701&Signature=LxXb5fbV11HsZyeNZ1Ij6AMk~y88AQVjRJ5tjnksSWKeaaxOSFIQaEEvvqhFLYlL9tFbq1gf5rVSuD72bKyT-V6nE7t12XeD2a5qmHRJB6vVW0ftwPpacyITGwnLeLqh869y2lvoi1EIcPWAQvFqFLIhSEOYRlhTk73VhDWgpjD~1fXL1wHeo3-BQuy-hnqBKhaCIeP9PHz-iHj4GfNxk5HHJxVPNl~~UEbK2rpGqjm45icxBmMEFY0Nt0SwSXYQoqrHCuBD5ic2NKw5mAcjXiMjHKKumJa3C8PSSI2lmwjfQDcm5umW1ezwgXKBOaov8~aE8v2OsGYvVAJRxQS5~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Upper Dublin School District staff told the finance committee on Aug. 20 that roof replacement work at Maple Glen Elementary is finished and that two change orders were required after crews discovered extensive plywood deterioration beneath the shingles.

Facilities staff said the plywood used in the original roof installation had warped and curled as it aged, a condition consistent with pressure-treated plywood the industry later abandoned; the district’s architect and roofer inspected exposed areas during removal and confirmed the deterioration. The contractor’s bid contained unit pricing for plywood replacement at $3.91 per square foot, which staff said covered the first change order of $265,254.40. A second change order covered three additional units of Tekton decking at $2,400 per unit, totaling $7,200. The combined change orders total $272,454.40.

Committee members asked if the roof failure reflected improper original installation or materials not disclosed at the time. Staff said the building was constructed during a period when plywood manufacturing and treatments were changing, and that some plywood manufactured at that time later proved prone to early deterioration; nationwide litigation over affected plywood was referenced by the architect. Staff said they did not believe there was a viable construction-claims path and that the contractor’s bid had already included unit prices for deck replacement.

The district reported that the architect, Michael Johnson, inspected roof decking as shingles were removed and again approved each sheet as it was installed. Committee members expressed appreciation that the work was completed before the school year began and noted the large unexpected cost was addressed through the contract’s unit-price structure.

The committee approved moving the change orders forward. Staff characterized the work as likely to end a recurring roofing problem traced to the underlying plywood condition rather than to the current contractor’s work.

Questions left for follow-up include whether further warranty claims or latent-defect processes might apply; staff said they would continue to monitor and report as necessary.","The finance committee approved two change orders totaling $272,454.40 after contractors discovered widespread deteriorated plywood under Maple Glen Elementary's roof; the cost was covered by unit pricing in the contract.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6476521,"Upper Dublin approves purchase of new starting blocks for natatorium with UDAC covering half the cost",438,62000,500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5725048-8d5adb71ef122562f2446c5353a11629&start=62&end=500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5725048-8d5adb71ef122562f2446c5353a11629/thumbnail_62000.jpg","/articles/6476521/Pennsylvania/Upper-Dublin-approves-purchase-of-new-starting-blocks-for-natatorium-with-UDAC-covering-half-the-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476521-5544e5ef45b2b0646384de62f2e8754b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770693701&Signature=h36XBKm53lG1L4p1dwpoONdTYfFC8uSaQgLMWzFiyjVjtuW2RoEfwE4sjIxUL1tPTOczeU~yDZnNUc6v2QCRgcAnJL5Qb4t45c8F9zlabpfzdeMZevhVyqYdkPpKyQKDx5FMbG2zfa5xdLjPUl2wAvILXraYWOwqGwJwFkqwoHWkCSYBdj~GfncFJqYFpSSUQVDScJ0RD7sZLnO8MW9M62SibkiwS~Jd~seFJfjYJP39JUcCyOXHEzaTUqu19K1Sz9Qo4UW9f-SdlLi4uC3Xi8DRQOIFZwRnLHS34rA3wIo7NEdEgVXOCJgThdnMgwuMWFEyO-9uJn~TPQbGwedtGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Upper Dublin School District Finance Committee on Aug. 20 approved moving forward with the purchase and installation of new competitive starting blocks for the district natatorium, a $80,799.70 project to be funded half by the district and half by a donation from UDAC.

District staff said the current starting blocks are original to the building and about 13 years old, within the 10–15 year useful-life window. Brandon Pierce, a district swim coach who worked with the evaluators, told the committee the existing blocks are “starting to deteriorate, fall apart,” and that the replacements will bring the pool up to current competitive standards.

Pierce said the new blocks include a rear wedge to allow track starts and compatibility with backstroke wedges that have become standard and are now permitted in competition. He also said the blocks can be customized with district insignia and will likely be colored red to match school colors. The vendor listed in the meeting packet is a CoStars contract provider; staff said the purchase will be executed through that contract.

Committee members asked whether the new blocks would require any timing-system upgrades; Pierce said the blocks are independent of the timing touchpads, which plug into deck-mounted connections and were replaced about two years ago. He said installation is expected after manufacturing, with the vendor estimating roughly a 12-week lead time and a one-day swap-out on arrival because the new blocks will fit existing anchors.

The committee also discussed warranty and service follow-up. Pierce said he was not certain of the quote’s warranty terms and that staff would confirm factory or local-service warranty coverage; he noted the vendor is local and should be able to provide service if needed.

The committee recorded its acceptance of a recommendation to accept UDAC’s donation for half the cost and to proceed with the purchase via the CoStars vendor noted in the packet.

Staff said the purchase was anticipated and included as a one-time expense in the district’s 2025–26 general fund budget.

Questions not resolved at the meeting included warranty details and the exact vendor name as printed in the packet; staff said they would follow up with that information.","The Upper Dublin School District finance committee approved purchasing new competitive starting blocks for the high school natatorium, a $80,799.70 purchase to be split with a donation from UDAC; vendor procurement will use a CoStars contract.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee ratifies two annual student transportation agreements, totaling up to $17,000

Finance committee reviews closeout projections and tax collections; resident raises questions about 4% tax increase

District recommends $1.09 million CoStars contract with Keystone to replace fire-alarm systems across four buildings

Maple Glen roof work completed; committee approves $272,454 change orders after rotten plywood found

Upper Dublin approves purchase of new starting blocks for natatorium with UDAC covering half the cost