Is it time to look at the role of standardized tests in schools?
Also: if teacher unions demand raises, they should say what to cut from education programs to pay for it
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
The rising tide against Common Core continues to obscure a growing, but still under discussed debate about the value and quality of standardized testing in our schools.
While it seems increasingly likely that a passing grade on the Keystone tests will not end up...
Residents argue for teacher pay hikes at UCF Board meeting
UHS principal appointed; retirees, Citadel Heart of Learning nominee honored
By Karen Cresta, Correspondent, The Times
POCOPSON – After the new principal for Unionville High School (UHS), Jim Conley, was appointed, applauded and approved for a salary of $142,290, and the six retirees and a nominee for the Citadel Heart of Learning honored, residents stepped up to the microphone at the Unionville...
UCF board gives prelim approval to 2.01% tax increase, 5-4
Teachers express offense at educator award proposal
By Karen Cresta, Correspondent, The Times
EAST MARLBOROUGH – After much review of what items are new to the budget and the presentation of three scenarios by Robert Cochran, the district’s director of business and operations, the proposed final budget for 2015-2016 for the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Distrct was approved at Monday night’s...
Proposed UCF budget would boost taxes beyond Act 1 limits
Keystone Exams face growing opposition; health care eligibility audit discussed
By Karen Cresta, Correspondent, The Times
EAST MARLBOROUGH – Taxes for the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District would increase beyond the state’s Act 1 limits, if the Board of Education opts to adopt the $79.2 million proposed budget discussed in some detail during Monday night’s board work session — meanwhile...
Coatesville adopts $12.55M budget with no tax increase for 2015
Approved in 4-3 vote, budget makes multiple cuts, takes $140k from trust fund
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
Frances Sheehan, CEO of the Brandywine Health Foundation previews Coatesville Centennial events for council.
COATESVILLE – City Council passed a $12,548,165 budget for 2015 at Monday night’s meeting. The budget will not raise taxes and includes a $140,000 withdrawl from the city’s...
Coatesville council deadlocked on budget
Members can’t agree on how to balance the budget
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
COATESVILLE – City Council continues to find itself in a budget deadlock after further discussions during Monday night’s budget workshop.
While council seems to agree that they want to pass a budget with no tax increase and a minimal hit to the trust fund, members cannot agree on how to make this...
UCF bond refinance could save $1 mil.
Comprehensive plan OKd; strategic plan, length of school year discussed
By Karen Cresta, Correspondent, The Times
EAST MARLBOROUGH – The Unionville-Chadds Ford (UCF) Board of Education met on Tuesday night at a combined work session and regular meeting – last week’s work session was cancelled due to icy conditions and last night’s meeting was held despite the cancellation of school that day...
Is Wolf angling to make a deal with GOP legislators?
With his base secured, a deal on liquor privatization, pensions could be in play
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Depending on who is reading the tea leaves, Gov. Tom Wolf is either drawing a line in the sand — and guaranteeing four years of abject gridlock, or he’s securing the base with the idea that he’s going to have to make deals in the coming weeks and months that won’t be popular with...
Wynn takes Coatesville Region III school board seat
Appointed to seat vacated by Jim Fox in 7-1 vote over Tom Siedenbuehl
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
Greg Wynn takes his school board member oath.
CALN – The Coatesville Area School Board appointed Greg Wynn to fill the open Region III seat at a special meeting Tuesday night.
Wynn, an IT professional at Vanguard, was selected in a 7-1 vote with board member Laurie Knecht providing voting...
Coatesville Council discusses cuts to reach 2015 budget goal
City has $191k to go to balance $9.734k budget; 1 mil tax increase proposed
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
budget, city council, coatesville
COATESVILLE – After further discussion on Wednesday night, the city still has a deficit of over $191,000 to make up before finalizing a 2015 budget. As it stands now, the preliminary budget proposes a 1 mil tax increase with no money coming from...
