CASD eyes 2.1% tax hike, deal with CCIU for Gordon
Proposed increase in line with Act 1 limits
By Lauren Parker- Gill, News Editor, The Times
Editor’s Note: Due to subsequent information, the tax increase rate, which was shown as 3.1% in some preliminary materials, was changed in the story to reflect the more accurate 2.1%. We apologize for the confusion.
CALN – As a final proposed budget was approved to be displayed and advertised to the...
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...
Coatesville School Board approves $148.8M budget
District’s 2014-15 budget to break even; Taschner takes over as superintendent
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
CALN – The Coatesville Area School Board unanimously approved a general fund budget of $148,802,429 at Thursday night’s meeting.
The budget perfectly aligns with the projected expenditures for 2014-15, leaving no surplus or deficit.
During his presentation of the budget,...
UCF board deadlocks on vacancy
2014-15 budget passed with 2.66% tax increase
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
POCOPSON — It could be as long as a month before the Unionville-Chadds Ford Board of Education appoints a replacement for Eileen Bushelow, after the board deadlocked Monday night on a vote for a replacement.
The board now plans to meet July 14 to vote on the matter after Robert Sage and Hsinte (James) Yen both got four...
UCF school board looks to narrow tax hike
Latest administration proposed budget calls for 2.66% increase
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
EAST MARLBOROUGH — With about 10 weeks to go in the annual school budget process, the likely range of the expected Unionville-Chadds Ford School District tax increase is beginning to narrow, and based on Monday night’s informal discussions by the Board of Education, the increase will fall somewhere...
CASD state takeover is no longer far-fetched
Auditor General’s report show lack of oversight with chilling potential
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
If you read through the auditor general’s report on the Coatesville Area School District and its financial performance — the implications of the report have to be chilling.
The short form is this: The district under-collected or overspent a total of $31.1 million during a seven-year period...
CASD building purchase is a disaster waiting to happen
New admin office, clinic is wrong on so many levels for struggling district
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Last night was quite the dog and pony show at the Coatesville Area School District Board of Education Finance and Personnel meeting.
Of course, we got the denial that the board had approved buying the Cumberland Insurance Building in Sadsbury for $3.45 million, but merely approved negotiations...
Unionville schools, teachers reach contract deal
Both sides must ratify new pact, after ‘quiet’ talks net two-year deal
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 over the previous contract.
While neither side would divulge the details...
UCF board unlikely to seek EIT
Members say income tax wouldn’t pass referendum, cite loss in 2007 ballot measure
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
EAST MARLBOROUGH — Although West Marlborough became the fourth municipality in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District to impose an earned income tax (EIT) last month, it seems unlikely school officials will pursue such a tax.
During Monday night’s Board of Education Finance...
