The West Chester Area School District's Property and Finance Committee on Monday, Aug. 17, took up capital project bids, construction change orders and a meal price increase for the coming school year, with roughly 12,000 students set to return to class on Aug. 31.

The committee, chaired by Director Gary Bevilacqua, met with capital project bid awards and change orders for active renovations at three elementary schools on the agenda.

Two bid awards were presented by Mr. Birster: a 2026-27 Capital Reserve Project Bid Award and a separate Capital Project Bid Award. The agenda does not specify which schools those bids cover, though the district has been advancing a 20-year capital project plan approved by the full board in June.

Change orders were also on the consent agenda for renovations at Mary C. Howse Elementary and Hillsdale Elementary, both in the Henderson High School feeder pattern, and for the modular demolition and new addition at Exton Elementary in the East High School feeder pattern. The Exton project was publicly bid through PennBid in November 2025 and encompasses general construction, plumbing, mechanical and electrical contracts.

The consent agenda also listed a 2026-27 adult meal price increase, new transportation schedules, and property tax exonerations for East Bradford Township and West Whiteland Township.

Dollar amounts for the meal price change and construction contracts were not in the public agenda.

Director of Business Affairs John Scully presented a review of the August budget forecast model, an update on district-initiated appeals and a summary of Right-to-Know requests from the 2025-26 school year. The district's 2026-27 general fund budget, approved in June at $344,989,797, included a $1 million increase in debt service specifically to support capital building renovations.

When the board approved that budget, Superintendent David Christopher said it "represents an investment in our students, our staff, and the future of our community."

Directors Fleming, Jackson and Lahm round out the four-member committee. The next Property and Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 22.