Proposed 2023-24 Budget

Each year, Downingtown Area School District is tasked with creating a budget that will support the long- and short-term goals of the district while serving its students, staff and the community.

With the district's commitment to fiscal responsibility and careful planning, DASD continues to provide high quality academics and student support systems with the third-lowest per pupil instructional expenses across Chester County. However, due, in part, to eight years without a tax increase and rising costs during that time period, the district is heading toward a significant operating deficit. With the additional expenses related to growing enrollment and the plan to achieve full-day kindergarten, the district must take steps to fiscally prepare.

Summary

Tax Information

Budget Scenarios

2023-24 Recommendation

2023-24 Without Full-Day K

0% Tax Increase

Historical Spending Breakdown

Capital Fund Balance

What is a capital fund?

A capital fund is a bank account to accumulate funds for the purchase of items that are expensive and have a long term life cycle.

Our yearly capital budget is used to maintain items that we plan to replace on a schedule. Some examples of expenses can be new roofs on school buildings, replacing heating and air conditioning units, repairs to parking lots, and purchase of technology equipment and curriculum equipment.

Long-term capital plans are for larger projects that can be paid for and implemented over multiple school years such as renovation or additions to schools.

Capital Fund Balance

There is currently and estimated, one-time revenue amount of $122,000,000 in the Capital Fund Balance available, as of 6/30/2022, for planned construction.

The total projected cost for planned construction, including the gyms at Lionville Elementary and Bradford Heights, the construction at Beaver Creek and West Bradford and the East and West project is $127,000,000.

The district currently needs and additional $5,000,000 to complete the planned construction projects. The construction of a new 5/6 center, which would allow for district-wide, full-day kindergarten, is estimated at $70 million.

Capital Fund Balance
Infogram

DASD Cost per Student Breakdown

Details

Expenses Detail

DASD Enrollment

DASD Building Capacities

Enrollment Comparision

Revenue Detail

How Does DASD Compare to Other Chester County Districts?

2021-22 PDE Per Pupil Tuition

Historical Millage Rate

% Tax Increase: 2013-14 to 2022-23

Budget Documents

May 3, 2023 Board Memo 2023-24 Proposed Budget

Budget Presentations

Feb 1, 2023 Capital projects March 1, 2023 General Fund
March 8, 2023 General Fund March 29, 2023 General Fund April 12, 2023 General Fund Budget Proposal

Budget Goals

Provide K-12 student educational programs

Full-day kindergarten by 2028-29 school year

SUPPORT district-wide operations

Siemens Property Sale - Uwchlan Township

History

The Uwchlan Township property was purchased from Siemens Medical Solutions for $22 million with the intent of building a third secondary campus. DASD was unable to gain the necessary zoning change in order to construct a school building.

Student enrollment growth has been in the central and southern portions of the school district and not the north, where the property is located. Therefore, it is fiscally responsible to our tax-payers to sell the property.

In 2014, DASD entered into a sales agreement with Hankin Group. Hankin was unable to gain zoning approval for their proposed residential and retail development, and, after seven years, they terminated their agreement with the district.

On February 9, 2022, the district entered a sales agreement with Carvana, LLC for $87,817,000. Carvana withdrew from the sales agreement in March of 2022 after it purchased several regional auto auction businesses.

The district entered a sales agreement with Audubon in July 2022 for $96,250,000. The sale was reviewed by the Court of Common Pleas in Chester County on November 28, 2022, and Judge William P. Mahon signed the order approving the sale. The closing date on the property is December 2024.