The new calendar year is only two weeks old, but already the school board is planning for the next school year budget. Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board directors approved a proposed preliminary 2013-2014 budget during their Jan. 14 workshop.
By state law, the proposed preliminary budget had to be available for public review for 30 days prior to Feb. 19 when the board is expected to adopt the preliminary budget. A series of hearings will take place after that before a final budget is voted on in June for the next fiscal year. Hearings are currently scheduled for May 6, 8 and 9.
At present, the budget is for $72.7 million in spending and revenue and is within the Act 1 limits — meaning there is no anticipated need for a referendum for a tax hike — said district Business Manager Bob Cochran. He said the planned millage rates are 25.64 mills for Chester County residents, and 21.63 mills for Chadds Ford Township residents. Chadds ford is the only Delaware County township in the school district. Current millage rates are 25.18 and 21.44, respectively. A mill is a tax of $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
Other business
Directors agreed to vote during their Jan. 22 regular meeting, whether to make marching band extra-curricular. It is now co-curricular, mandatory, for students involved in concert or jazz band.
Concert and jazz band work takes place during the school day, while marching band activity imposes additional time commitments at night and on the weekends. There’s normally practice from 6 to 9 p.m. two nights per week, plus performances at Friday night football games and Saturday competitions.
“Parents are saying that commitment is too much,” said Assistant to the Superintendent Ken Batchelor.
The board is expected to vote to either make marching band extra-curricular, or to keep it co-curricular for freshman only.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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