Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board directors bid farewell to one of their own on a night when they agreed to spend money on benefits and some needed repairs.
The May 19 board meeting was the last one for Region B representative Eileen Bushelow. She announced her resignation for personal reasons during the April board meeting. Her resignation is effective May 28 so she will not be on the board in June when directors vote on the budget for the next academic year.
Director Keith Knauss said that even with their differences of opinion, he always knew Bushelow’s primary interest was what was best for the students, and Jeff Hellrung called Bushelow a caring person.
Kathy Do referenced a quote that it’s better to matter than to be happy, but said to Bushelow “I hope you’ve been happy, but you have mattered…You made a real impact.”
Gregg Lindner echoed Do’s comment saying Busheklow made “a large contribution.”
Board President Vic Dupuis read a citation from state Rep. Stephen Barrar praising Bushelow for her time on the board.
The board is actively seeking a replacement for Bushelow. The person chosen would serve through Dec. 7, 2015. As of the May 19 meeting, however, no one has applied for the position, according to one of the directors.
Bushelow was not silent during her swan song. She voted no on two measures her colleagues approved when the board got down to business.
The board voted 7-1 to approve a new benefit agreement for district support personnel that included a new healthcare plan with enhanced health and disability benefits. It’s a cost increase of 2 percent per year that also includes a free smoking cessation program.
There was also a 7-1 vote on a measure extending a teacher’s ability to opt out of the district health plan. That opt-out procedure calls for the district to pay teachers $2,400 if they opt out of the district plan to go with one offered through their spouse. Originally the buyout was offered only for one year, but has now been extended.
Among other expenditures were a contract to replace the fire alarm system at Hillendale Elementary School for almost $91,000 and for a $421,000 energy project at Charles F. Patton Middle School.
Directors also approved spending more than $120,000 for a variety of supply contracts.
Also approved was a kitchen equipment replacement to the tune of more than $72,600 for Hillendale. As previously reported, that project will be paid for from the cafeteria fund.
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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