UCF board on budget and masks

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on June 16, 2021

Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board directors Monday approved a final general fund budget that will be officially voted upon next week, on June 21.

The budget includes total appropriations of $92.92 million, real estate taxes of 29.96 mills for Chester County property owners, and 15.46 mills for property owners in Chadds Ford Township in Delaware County. The difference in millage rates is based on how the two counties assess property values. Those millage rates reflect a tax increase of 3.06 percent in Chester County and 2.59 percent in Delaware County. (A mill is a tax of $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.)

Business Manager Robert Cochran said the increases are at the Act I limit without needing a referendum.

Total estimated revenue from taxes and other sources is anticipated to be $92.48 million, which includes a previous fund balance of $9.66 million.

Expenses include $52.6 million for total instruction, $29 million for support, and another $9.4 million for non-instructional services, other expenses, and debt services.

School board members also voted to sunset the current COVID-related health and safety plan and approved a summer plan for the extended school year. That summer plan includes cleaning, using portable HEPA filters in classrooms, installing touch-free hand sanitizing, and continuing to keep the water fountains turned off.

Additionally, through June 27, all bus drivers, staff must wear masks on the buses. After June 27, no masks will be required, but unvaccinated staff members and students are encouraged to wear a mask while indoors.

Superintendent of Schools John Sanville said the Chester County Health Department has given its blessing on the summer plan and that there will be ongoing conversations for a health and safety plan for the fall. Those discussions will be in July and August, he said.

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.