Unionville Chadds Ford School Board Directors voted to approve a $92.9 million budget for the next school year during their June 21 meeting. The board also made some administrative changes.

As anticipated, the budget passed with no objections. Millage rates for the 2021-2022 school year are 29.96 mils for Chester County properties, and 15.46 mils for properties in the Delaware County section of the district — Chadds Ford Township. Tax bills will be dated July 1 and property owners have until Oct. 31 to pay before considered delinquent. If paid by Aug. 31, there will be a 2 percent discount.

Board President Jeff Hellrung said the millage rates reflect a 3.06 percent increase for Chester County property owners and a 2.59 percent increase for Chadds Ford Township property owners.

In other money matters, directors approved a spending plan for the American Rescue Plan – Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief. ESSER is a federal grant program, with the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District being allocated $737,392. Of that figure, 20 percent is to address learning loss due to the C OVID-19 pandemic, and 80 percent on a variety of other programs. The money is available through Sept. 30, 2024.

The board also approved participation in two programs dealing with health checkups and weight loss for staff members. Details of those programs can be found here, here, here, and here.

Also approved during the meeting were two administration changes due to retirements. Joseph L. Deady was named director of finance for the district, replacing Bob Cochran who is retiring after 20 years. Deady’s contract is for five years with a beginning salary of$175,000.

Additionally, Michael Audevard was appointed as the K-12 director of curriculum and instruction, replacing Tim Hoffman who was appointed assistant to the superintendent in May. Audevard has been the principal at Hillendale Elementary School for the last four years. His new position carries with it a salary of $163,000. Hoffman replaced John Nolen, who is retiring.