A last minute tax compromise was offered and approved, and the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District now has a new budget for the 2015-2016 school year.
The 5-3 vote at the June 15 School Board meeting came after a public comment period, during which eight district residents — most being teachers, former teachers, spouses of teachers and one Unionville graduate — urged school board directors to vote for the highest possible tax increase to help assure teachers get a better contract. That new contract is currently being negotiated.
During the last month, the board had been considering three possible tax increases, but another option was offered during the meting. That new option was for a tax increase weighted between Chester and Delaware County at 2.28 percent. The previous increases considered had ranged from 2.01 percent to 2.85 percent.
Director Keith Knauss, who attended the meeting by phone, proposed the 2.28 percent increase. That led to a motion from Director Gregg Lindner to amend Knauss’ motion, calling for an increase of 2.58 percent.
That motion failed with only Lindner, and fellow Directors Kathy Do and Michael Rock voting in favor. Do said the lower rate could force the district to tap too deeply into reserve funds and Rock said voting for anything less than a 2.58 percent increase would be a violation of his fiduciary responsibilities.
The budget was passed with the 2.28 percent weighted increase. Voting in favor were Knauss, board President Vic Dupuis, and directors Carolyn Daniels, Steve Simonson and Bob Sage. Jeff Hellrung was absent for medical reasons.
In raw dollars, Chester County property owners will see property taxes go up about $55 for every $100,000 of assessed property value. Delaware County property owners will see an increase of $69 per $100,00 of assessed value, according to School Board documents.
(The different rates for the two counties are based on how the counties assess property.)
Total anticipated expenditures for the next school year are $79.3 million.
As far as the negotiations with the teachers’ union are concerned, Dupuis said talks are continuing and he expects a new contract to be in place by the start of the next school year.
Other board matters included accepting the resignation of Pocopson elementary School Principal Andrew McLaughlin. McLaughlin has been Pocopson’s principal for 11 years and has spent 35 years in public education.
The board also recognized Renee Sash, a paraprofessional at Chadds Ford Elementary School. While on cafeteria duty on May 14, Sash administered the Heimlich maneuver on a student who she saw choking. Superintendent John Sanville credits Sash for saving the child’s life.
“I can’t thank you enough, Renee,” Sanville said.
He also noted the irony that Sash had just been recertified in the maneuver and CPR just a week before the incident.
Dupuis read a resolution honoring Sash for heroism.
Directors also approved two field trip requests. One trip is to the Galapagos Islands for the high school Science Department from March 19-27. The other trip is a bus trip for the high school Marching Band to go to the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla. from Dec. 28-Jan. 3.
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.
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Mr Schwartman, you must have been at a different meeting. Because I heard taxpayer, after taxpayer at not only this meeting but several meetings beg the board to vote for the highest amount for the budget.
In complete disregard for the children, teachers and taxpayers of the school district, five board members voted against the proposed increase. Our thanks go out to board members Do, Lindner and Rock who truly represent the interests of our children, our schools and our school district.