Voters approve CUFSD budget for 2026-27 school year
![Graphic for 2026-27 budget passing.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1779239716/chesterufsdorg/db6fefdyjf23cqy5bh85/CHESTERWEBSITEGRAPHICS_3.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1779239716/chesterufsdorg/db6fefdyjf23cqy5bh85/CHESTERWEBSITEGRAPHICS_3.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1779239716/chesterufsdorg/db6fefdyjf23cqy5bh85/CHESTERWEBSITEGRAPHICS_3.png","width":800}])
Voters approved a $41,001,754 budget for the Chester Union Free School District’s 2026-27 school year by an official 170-91 vote on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
Additionally, one candidate was reelected to the Board of Education, Diane Arnett. Ms. Arnett’s term will run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.
“On behalf of the Board of Education, we sincerely thank the Chester community for supporting the 2026-2027 budget,” said Superintendent Catherine O’Hara. “The approved budget will expand early learning, advance innovative and career-connected opportunities, and strengthen safe learning environments across our schools. We appreciate the partnership and support of our parents, families, and community as we invest in opportunities that strengthen educational excellence and the future success of our students.”
![Chester Union Free School District board of education graphic.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1726057035/chesterufsdorg/pdodbadcmnsfjujxejed/BOEMEETINGGRAPHIC.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1726057035/chesterufsdorg/pdodbadcmnsfjujxejed/BOEMEETINGGRAPHIC.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1726057035/chesterufsdorg/pdodbadcmnsfjujxejed/BOEMEETINGGRAPHIC.png","width":800}])
Click HERE to watch the live steam of the June 10, 2026 Board of Education Meeting
![Graphic for Chester newsletter April 2026.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780681772/chesterufsdorg/yd49pxlikkhmxqfx31rw/CHESTERWEBSITEGRAPHICS_4.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780681772/chesterufsdorg/yd49pxlikkhmxqfx31rw/CHESTERWEBSITEGRAPHICS_4.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1780681772/chesterufsdorg/yd49pxlikkhmxqfx31rw/CHESTERWEBSITEGRAPHICS_4.png","width":800}])
The Chester Union Free School District's May Digital Newsletter is now available!
![a young male student in a blask shirt stands on a dimly lit stage with blue lighting and the words meadow blues displayed on the wall behind him]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780662475/chesterufsdorg/xn8aajaxp0bd4cxgzlxp/SawyerMcElroyMeadowBlues2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780662475/chesterufsdorg/xn8aajaxp0bd4cxgzlxp/SawyerMcElroyMeadowBlues2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1780662475/chesterufsdorg/xn8aajaxp0bd4cxgzlxp/SawyerMcElroyMeadowBlues2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1780662475/chesterufsdorg/xn8aajaxp0bd4cxgzlxp/SawyerMcElroyMeadowBlues2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1780662475/chesterufsdorg/xn8aajaxp0bd4cxgzlxp/SawyerMcElroyMeadowBlues2.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1780662475/chesterufsdorg/xn8aajaxp0bd4cxgzlxp/SawyerMcElroyMeadowBlues2.jpg","width":2200}])
On Friday evening of Memorial Day weekend, Chester Academy seventh grader Sawyer McElroy took a giant step in his young music career, taking the stage to lead a band through his first featured jazz gig!
![Chester Academy celebrates its academic award winners for the 2025-26 school year.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780665076/chesterufsdorg/lfo43bel16i6bmbh67rh/ChesterAcademyAcademicAwards2025-26.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780665076/chesterufsdorg/lfo43bel16i6bmbh67rh/ChesterAcademyAcademicAwards2025-26.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1780665076/chesterufsdorg/lfo43bel16i6bmbh67rh/ChesterAcademyAcademicAwards2025-26.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1780665076/chesterufsdorg/lfo43bel16i6bmbh67rh/ChesterAcademyAcademicAwards2025-26.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1780665076/chesterufsdorg/lfo43bel16i6bmbh67rh/ChesterAcademyAcademicAwards2025-26.jpg","width":1300}])
Join us in celebrating these Chester Academy students in both the middle and high school programs on their outstanding academic achievements during the 2025-2026 school year.
![Children and adults gather around a table displaying various robotic projects in front of a hallway with doors and signage.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780073657/chesterufsdorg/rvyp2cmnjhjley1ay6rx/CUFSDArtSTEMSTEAMNight202610.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780073657/chesterufsdorg/rvyp2cmnjhjley1ay6rx/CUFSDArtSTEMSTEAMNight202610.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1780073657/chesterufsdorg/rvyp2cmnjhjley1ay6rx/CUFSDArtSTEMSTEAMNight202610.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1780073657/chesterufsdorg/rvyp2cmnjhjley1ay6rx/CUFSDArtSTEMSTEAMNight202610.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1780073657/chesterufsdorg/rvyp2cmnjhjley1ay6rx/CUFSDArtSTEMSTEAMNight202610.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1780073657/chesterufsdorg/rvyp2cmnjhjley1ay6rx/CUFSDArtSTEMSTEAMNight202610.jpg","width":2200}])
Innovation and creativity were on display Tuesday evening as families gathered at Chester Academy for the annual STEM + Art = STEAM Expo. Students of all ages showcased their talents and hard work throughout the school year.