District issues statement on teacher resignation controversy
By Karen Cresta, Staff Writer, The Times
Although Unionville-Chadds Ford Schools were closed both Monday and Tuesday, the Board of Education met to issue preliminary approval of its 2016-17 budget as required by state law. Because of the weather, not everyone who wished to attend could, inluding board Vice President Jeff Hellrung who attended virtually, via Robot in between member Carolyn Daniels and Board President Victor Dupuis.
EAST MARLBOROUGH – The Unionville Chadds Ford School District’s (UCFSD) board of education held its regular meeting on Monday night despite the school closing on Monday (and Tuesday) due to the aftermath of Jonas the blizzard and poor road conditions. State law requires the preliminary budget must be passed by January 27and three days’ notice must be given for board meetings – so, to avoid violation of state law, the meeting had to go on as planned.
Prior to the “regular” meeting and approval of the preliminary 2016-2017 budget, Superintendent John Sanville made public that January as the month of recognition for school directors. He thanked the board for their service with a round of applause.
After Dupuis gave the students and community accolades for their Martin Luther King Day of service and thanked the facilities and ground crews for going above and beyond to make the schools safe, board president Vic Dupuis made a statement regarding the controversy around the resignation of Unionville High School teacher Winden Rowe.
Related Story: Unionville HS teacher resignation sparks social media furor
Moving onto the agenda, Vice President Jeff Hellrung made a motion to approve the preliminary budget for 2016-2017 with total appropriations in the amount of $83,649,554 with no need for referendum with exceptions for special education and pension costs of up to approximately $1 million. Adoption of the final budget and levying of real estate taxes are expected to take place on June 20, 2016.
The board also approved the submission of retirement contribution exceptions in the amount of $691,865 and the special education exception in the amount of $315,632 with the PA Department of Education.
The Director of Business and Operations, Bob Cochran, indicated that he does not see this as being the last year for PSERS exceptions. It may be the last year of it being in excess of $500,000, but not the last year for exceptions.
The adoption of the budget timeline was also approved. Budget hearings will take place on May 2 (and May 3-4, if needed).
The school calendar for 2016-2017 was approved.
The board also approved the authorization to seek bids for its strategic planning proposal. The board voted 8-1 in favor (with Michael Rock being opposed). The request for the proposal to seek bids was made public on January 24 on the district website and Rock mentioned that he did not see the document.
The next board meeting will be held on February 8, at 7 p.m. All board documents are available for viewing on the district’s website at www.ucfsd.org.
