New teacher deal gets board, union OK
Drama-free talks a marked contrast from 2010-11 negotiations
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
POCOPSON — Two years ago, it was the height of drama. Monday night, it was little more than a footnote.
With little in the way of discussion and even less ceremony, the Unionville-Chadds Ford Board of Education voted 7-2 Monday night to approve a new two-year contract with the the district’s teachers....
Letter: Knauss, Hellrung say no to teacher pact
To the Editor:
Tonight, the Unionville-Chadds Ford School board will release to the public the Tentative Agreement reached between the School Board and the UCF Education Association Negotiating Teams. We’re pleased that the negotiations between the parties have been professional and cordial and that the board has not had a need to hire expensive legal or public relations representation. We’re also...
UCF board likely to approve tax hike slightly above Act 1
Some question remains as to whether board will cut spending to save for future pension costs
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
EAST MARLBOROUGH — When the Unionville-Chadds Ford Board of Education considers adopting a preliminary final budget Monday night, it appears only two scenarios, or a variation, will be on the table.
During last Monday night’s budget hearing, the schools administration offered...
Unionville schools, teachers reach contract deal
Both sides must ratify new pact, after ‘quiet’ talks net two-year deal
UPDATED, 11:07 a.m.: Corrects detail on negotiation representation.
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
EAST MARLBOROUGH — The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District and its teachers union have reached tentative agreement Monday on a two-year contract, potentially avoiding a repeat of the contentious 2010-11 wrangling...
Quiet nature of teacher talks is good news
The numbers are close; a fair deal is there to be made. Will sense prevail?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Sometimes, no news is good news.
Until last Monday night’s Board of Education meeting, there had been virtually not a peep about the ongoing negotiations between the Unionville-Chadds Ford Board of Education and its teachers union, a departure from the previous negotiation cycle, which led...
Patton iPad program to get ‘pause’
Technology issues, reported parent concerns lead to slow of tablet roll out
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District officials had hoped to give iPad Mini’s to eighth grade students at Patton Middle School in the fall of 2013. But because of technology and other concerns, the program will be delayed until 2014 at the earliest.
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
EAST MARLBOROUGH — Citing infrastructure...
Unionville High School formally rededicated
Ceremony marks completion of $71 million expansion project
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District officials gathered Tuesday night to officially dedicate the renovations for Unionville High School. From left, Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Sanville, Board of Education member Jeff Leiser, Board member and Facilities Committee chair Frank Murphy and Board of Education President Eileen Bushelow cut...
Corbett budget proposals leave school budget in flux
Proposed changes to pensions, other changes could mean new budget math
Gov. Tom Corbett
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
EAST MARLBOROUGH — Don’t get too attached to the preliminary budget that the Unionville-Chadds Ford Board of Education adopted last month.
Thanks to budget proposals from Gov. Tom Corbett last week — including one that would reduce the amount of increase in pension costs —...
Schools look at integrating iPads into 8th grade learning
Under proposal, each eighth grader in the district would get an iPad Mini
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
EAST MARLBOROUGH — The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District appears poised to start the process of transitioning to a truly digital educational experience, with eighth grade students in the fall of 2013 likely to be the vanguards of what could be a largely paperless school system by the end...
Now that the 2013 election is over…