Carlisle Area SD - Committee Board Meeting - 06/11/2026

The Carlisle Area School District held a Committee Board Meeting on June 11, 2026, focusing on updates and future plans for the Character Strong social-emotional learning program, including a proposed two-year contract at $3,999 per year for both middle schools. The program aims to foster empathy, resilience, and positive school climate through structured lessons. Additionally, the board reviewed extensive revisions to the English Language Arts curriculum for grades 7 through 12, emphasizing vertical alignment, integration of AI considerations, and inclusion of diverse texts. Two new books were approved for addition to the curriculum, with discussions on their educational value and costs. The meeting also included a detailed presentation on the district's final budget for fiscal year 2026-27, highlighting a balanced budget of approximately $124.7 million, driven by salary and benefits increases, special education tuition, and debt service related to recent bond issuances. The board was informed of a 4.2% property tax millage rate increase and a homestead/farmstead credit adjustment. The budget resolution was set for a formal vote in two weeks, with recognition of the challenges balancing taxpayer fairness and student needs amid rising costs.