Colonial School District board approves 2026'27 MCIA budget share, summer academy and New Hope Academy contract

The Colonial School District board approved a slate of budget, program and contract items at its recent meeting, including the district's share of the 2026'27 MCIA membership services budget, summer programming plans and an educational services agreement for one student at New Hope Academy.

Board member Jeremy presented the MCIA membership services budget, which the agenda showed at $1,695,550, a projected increase of $71,090 (4.3%). The Colonial School District's share was presented as an increase of $4,509 to $109,186 (about 4.39%). The board asked for a second and approved the motion by voice.

The board also approved the district's summer programming package, which includes a Summer Academy for students in grades 1'8 running Monday through Thursday from June 15 to June 25, plus enrichment offerings such as computer science and engineering, technology and art camps. The motion for the summer programs was presented, discussed briefly and approved by voice.

Separately, the board approved four settlement and release agreements tied to student matters. The presenter said the agreements were discussed in executive session and included confidentiality protections; board members moved, seconded and approved the motion.

The board approved educational services agreements for one student to attend New Hope Academy at a tuition rate listed in the agenda as $19,473.30, with services beginning March 15, 2026. The agenda item also listed contracted support through Chester County Intermediate Unit services and specified hourly rates for related professionals as presented (agenda text lists rates for RBT/BCBA/DCBA support). The motion was approved by voice.

Committee and administrative reports occupied much of the meeting. Student representatives updated the board on recent performances, fundraising and cultural events across Plymouth-White Marsh High School, Colonial Middle School and elementary buildings, noting districtwide engagement in the Great Kindness Challenge and a Read-for-the-House fundraiser that the White Marsh Elementary entry had reported as raising roughly $9,000. A finance committee update noted that a preliminary 2026'27 draft budget reviewed by the committee included a referenced 3.5% tax increase in the materials presented to the committee.

Other motions approved by voice included routine items: the January 2026 treasurer's report, approval of personnel and extracurricular contract actions as listed on the agenda (contingent on required credentials and verifications), approval of a Plymouth-White Marsh High School indoor color guard trip to a competition in Flemington, N.J., and other consent business.

The board heard committee highlights on student-club engagement and district efforts to increase access to advanced placement courses for underrepresented students, and a personnel announcement that Doctor King will retire at the end of the school year.

The board moved on to additional committee reports and community announcements after the approvals; several items approved at the meeting were described in the agenda and stated as having been discussed earlier in an executive session where required by confidentiality rules.