Unionville Chadds Ford School District Superintendent Sharon Parker told a crowd of more than 200 people, “Before the budget is approved in June, it is important for district administration and the School Board to communicate the potential cuts, answer questions, and hear community input.”

Two dozen or more residents expressed their views at a two-hour meeting held in the Unionville High School cafeteria. Comments included supporting school district bus transportation, Chester County property owners accepting a tax increase and gratitude for district administration employees who have agreed to a 2011–2012 pay freeze. School district administrators will take the freeze to help reduce the impact of potential serious budget reductions to program and staff. School district administrators also took a pay freeze in the 2010-2011 school year.

In his March 8 budget address, Gov. Tom Corbett announced state budget cuts that left UCFSD and most school districts in Pennsylvania with a revenue shortage that their preliminary budgets, due in February, could not forecast. UCFSD must make up $1.1 million in projected revenue.

Potential budget reductions have been presented to the board for their consideration. Details of $1.7 million proposed cuts are posted on the UCFSD.org webpage. Cuts are organized in the areas of fiscal restraints/adjustments, community services, facilities and operations, clerical/paraprofessional support, pupil services, curricular programs, and unspecified efficiencies.

Potential reductions total $600,000 more than the $1.1 million needed. There remain several key events and discussions ahead before reduction decisions are made and the final budget is approved in June.

School Board Director Keith Knauss said, “If the teachers were to accept a pay freeze next year, like West Chester School District teachers have done, it would minimize job cuts.”

Future public discussion of the budget will be conducted on the following dates:

April 25 7:30 pm School Board Meeting Unionville Elementary School

May 2, 2011, 7pm Public Hearing, District Office Public Meeting Room

May 3, 2011, 7pm Public Hearing (if needed), District Office Public Meeting Room

May 4, 2011, 7pm Public Hearing (if needed), District Office Public Meeting Room

May 9, 2011, 7pm Approval of Proposed Final Budget, School Board Work Session

May 31, 2011 Last Day for Public Review of Public Inspection Copy of Proposed Final Budget

The board will vote on the final budget—with possible tax increases— during its June 20 meeting.

Residents wanting to comment on the budget should send an e-mail to budget2011@ucfsd.org, or send comments through the US Postal Service to 740 Unionville Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348 or call 610-347-0970, extension 3366.

Other business

The UCFSD.org webpage has posted a five-page update on the status of contract negotiations with the teachers union.