This story begins back in March of 2016 when we began a lengthy series of budget-related inquiries with a former Unionville-Chadds Ford school board member. His inquiries specifically focused on our budgeted savings account.  We later found out that this gentleman played an integral role in the recent lawsuit brought against the Lower Merion School District. 

In July, we received the exact same budget related inquiry from an NBC10 Investigative reporter, asking for an on air interview. I felt it was impossible to reduce a conversation about fund accounting practices, fund balances, the difference between Capital and General Funds, debt elimination, district growth needs and the legislative landscape related to budget planning to a brief minute or two minutes of on-air time typical for a TV story, so the district elected not to participate in an on camera interview, but respectfully provided the reporter with an answer to every question he asked.

We in this community are very proud of the accolades and accomplishments of our students, teachers, administration and school board. We are particularly delighted to be the only district in Chester County to have provided our taxpayers with four (4) straight years of a zero tax increase because of these visionary fiscal management practices.

 

I invite you to go to www.dasd.org/strategies to continue this article.  On that webpage I present a more detailed and historic perspective of this misguided inquiry. Links to our budget, financial reports, audits and fiscal objectives are also on that page.   I also invite you to attend our two public School Board meetings on the first and second Wednesday of the month where we explore and discuss all financial information with the Board. 

Schools are open, the weather is cooperating and we are dealing with issues that came to our attention during those first early days.   We welcome the 323 new students who enrolled over the summer - a record number.  I look forward to a great school year!   

 

The Downingtown Community Education Foundation recently approved a grant submitted by Beaver Creek nurse Debbie Flint.  The grant paid for standing desk, recumbent bikes, and desk foot pedals for the first and fifth grade. These are motion desks and tables that allow children to be in motion while they learn!