Mary C. Howse Elementary on Boot Road in West Chester now has air conditioning, making it the last of the district's 17 schools to receive the upgrade.

Superintendent David Christopher told the West Chester Area School District (WCASD) school board at its Aug. 24 meeting that the Howse installation will reduce early dismissals on hot days, the West Chester Chronicle reported. Christopher praised the work district staff completed over the summer, including renovations across multiple schools.

The district's roughly 12,000 students returned to class Monday, Aug. 31. WCASD serves 75 square miles of suburban, urban and rural areas in central Chester County, with 11 elementary schools, three middle schools and three high schools.

Budget backs building work

The 2026-27 general fund budget, approved in June, totals $344.9 million. That is an $11.1 million increase over the prior year, a 3.33 percent jump. It includes a $1 million increase in debt service earmarked for capital building renovations, the category that covers projects like the Howse A/C work.

Christopher called the spending plan an investment in students and staff when the board approved it in June.

New assistant principals at Henderson, Fugett

The board also recognized two new assistant principals at the Aug. 24 meeting. Jacquelyn Longan will serve at Henderson High School, and Amy Terkanian will serve at J.R. Fugett Middle School.

All nine board members were present for the meeting, including President Durnell, Vice President Bevilacqua and Directors Campbell, Detre, Fleming, Frey, Jackson, Lahm and Parkinson.

The next Property and Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 22.