CLSD board preps for 2026-27 budget approval

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

The Cornwall-Lebanon school board heard details of the 2026-27 budget at a work session June 8.

Expenditures total $119,634,821 and pre-tax increase revenues total $116,863,133, with a 3.9% tax increase (.75 mills, totaling 19.9606 mills) needed to balance the budget, Hentz said.

Director of business affairs Jean Hentz said there have been no changes to the budget since it was discussed at last month’s work session and approved for advertisement.

Some details of the budget remain unknown, Hentz said, including state Basic Education Funding, Special Education Funding, and Ready to Learn Grant Funding and federal subsidies for title programs.

The board plans to adopt the budget, as well as a homestead and farmstead exclusion resolution, at its next regular meeting June 15.

“We’ve talked about a number of increasing needs that we’ve had, with needing to add special programs,” said superintendent Phil Domencic. “That’s just the reality, and we also have some enrollment growth, which I know might not be the same for all districts, but it’s something we’re contending with here in Cornwall-Lebanon. Those factors are pretty significant, then, along with all of the other inflationary factors of healthcare, insurance, and those things we have to pay as well. Those will make up some of the most significant challenges as we look ahead.”

Also during Monday’s work session, Domencic said stadium renovations are expected to be fully complete by late July or early August, noting that Friday’s commencement ceremony was successful and well-attended.

“If you remember just three plus months ago, there were a lot of concerns about some of the cold weather, and of course there was the potential for that to impact delays on this project,” said Domencic. “Probably the biggest loose end we’re going to have is just how we work out landscaping … but all in all, that project’s starting to come together, we’re very pleased to see that.”

Domencic said work on the high school continues to be underway, with offices being moved into the Falcon Connector for the summer.

The board heard the following change orders for ongoing renovations:

• The Farfield Co., HS electrical contractor: $14,721.30
• Jay R. Reynolds Inc., HS plumbing contractor: $13,504
• Accelerated Fire Protection, HS fire protection contractor, $1,800
• NCI Construction LTD, stadium general contractor: $14,727

In other news, the board:

• Heard a request to approve Moore Engineering for the chiller and hot water heater replacements at Cedar Crest Middle School, with the chiller recently having been deemed unreliable and needing replaced by next spring. The chiller was originally planned for replacement at the time of middle school renovations.
• Heard that Hoaster Gebhard and Co.’s Student Accident and Sports Insurance is up for a three-year renewal at a premium cost of $33,194, a 15% price increase.
• Heard the healthcare operating statement, with a 2024-25 variance of -$510,000 and a year to date variance of $104,000.
• Heard a request for annual property, auto, liability, and workers’ compensation insurance renewal, with a total premium cost of $520,112 (a 12% increase).
• Heard an update on the school’s food service operation, including plans for summer meals for students over the summer. The board is also asked to approve recommendations for breakfast and lunch costs for students.
• Heard an update on the Lebanon County CTC’s articles of agreement, which are being revisited.
• Heard that numerous technologies are expected to have their subscriptions renewed this year.
• Heard that the district is making changes to its use of facilities policy, including redefining and clarifying categories to apply to a new fee structure, said Domencic.
• Heard that revised policies for current events and school visitors are up for final adoption.
• Heard requests for overnight field trips, clubs, and activities.
• Heard numerous personnel requests.
• Held an executive session for legal, personnel, and security topics.

This meeting was covered remotely by LebTown using a livestream of the meeting posted to the district’s YouTube page and notes from previous coverage of the board.

The Cornwall-Lebanon school board holds a work session the second Monday of each month and its regular meeting the third Monday of each month, both at 5:30 p.m. Meetings are held at South Lebanon Elementary School due to ongoing construction at Cedar Crest High School.