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Chester County Press

Uncle Irvin: Super announces budget in U-CF

05/03/2016 01:15PM ● By Richard Gaw
According to a story in the April 13 Chester County Press, the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District is planning to raise millage 2.88 percent to fund the proposed budget for the 2016-2017 school year.
The budget work was presented by Director of Business Operations Bob Cochran. Superintendent John Sanville proclaimed that millage would increase 2.88 percent to fund this budget. Sanville and his administration team reviewed the highlights. They did not entertain any input from the School Board, according to the story.
Budgets and tax millage in Pennsylvania public schools are the sole responsibility of the elected school board, not the administration, which has no legal role in budget/tax issues. Obviously, the board will evaluate the budget and taxes and hold public hearings before they pass it, on or before June 30, 2016.
Superintendents vary according to their personalities, and the strength of the board on who becomes the boss. There has been friction on this issue in the U-CF district on a number of occasions, including with the last superintendent, Sharon Parker.
Apparently the board requested that the administration present only one budget and plan this year.
School expenses are spiraling upward at an alarming degree, and with no help from the state in sight, it looks like school tax millage will haunt property owners once again. Property owners should look to school board members to take more responsibility for budget/tax issues, not paid administration.
Sanville holds a doctorate degree in education and is under contract for $210,000 annually until Aug. 30, 2018. However, if the Act 1 Index were to increase from the present 2.1 percent, Sanville's salary would increase to $214,410.

(Uncle Irvin's column is his opinion only, and is not a news story.)