The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District’s May 2 public hearing featured a presentation of the challenging status of the 2011–2012 school year budget by Robert Cochran, U-C-Ford director of business and operations.
While school tax revenues continue to lag behind budget projections, school district employee health and PSERS pension costs continue to spiral. A 53 percent increase in the school district pension cost will be a major budget hurdle that must be addressed.
The board is also dealing with Gov. Tom Corbett’s March 8 budget proposal that calls for $1.1 million in cuts to next school year’s budget. Also, there is no resolution to the ongoing labor negotiations with district teachers. (See the UCFSD webpage http://www.ucfsd.org/pdf/050211_budget_presentation document for complete 2011 – 2012 proposed budget details.)
The May 2 meeting also provided insight into the split views on the amount of the 2011 – 2012 increase in school tax.
School Board Director Keith Knauss said, “The Board was not voting on the tax increase, but polling each director to get a sense which tax increase option would be supported.” Five board members— Keith Knauss, Paul Price, Corrine Sweeney, Frank Murphy and Timotha Trigg—said they supported a 0.99 percent tax increase in Chester County and a 4.61 percent hike in Delaware County. Four members supported the 1.4 percent Pennsylvania Act I maximum Chester County increase.
Knauss said, “We should plan for a worst case budget and hope for better.”
Director Paul Price said, “We need to make budget cuts to keep expenses in line with decreased revenues. We need a five year budget plan.”
School Board Director Jeff Leiser said “We need a timeline as we approach a 120 day window to Aug. 31, the start of the next school year.”
The Monday, May 9 School Board 7 p.m. work session will continue the discussion of fiscal restraints and cuts to facilities and operations which will in all probability include the loss of several jobs impacting clerical support and pupil services.
Superintendent Sharon Parker said, “Chester County Intermediate Unit can provide some of the social support services now funded directly by the school district.”
Also, there should be further discussion of the decision to retain or outsource the school bus transportation department. Bids were recently opened by the school district. Currently a detailed “apples to apples” analysis of the bid proposals is taking place.
Director Eileen Bushelow has agreed to serve as the coordinator to engage Chester County Intermediate Unit resources to assist with establishing the geographic scope of the search for a new UCFSD school superintendent. The advantage of working through CCIU is the district will not incur outside expert expenses.
About Jim Phreaner
After 41 years of auditing large NYSE global corporations, former IRS Agent Jim Phreaner was looking for a project in retirement with fewer regulations and more people. He joined the staff at Chadds Ford Live more than a year ago. James Edward “Jim” Phreaner, 64, died suddenly in his Birmingham Township home on Dec.17, 2012. Jim was a devoted husband, son, father, friend, and neighbor.
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