PA COVID-Relief Funds Boosts Great Valley District’s Allocation 17.2%

MALVERN, PA —The COVID-19 pandemic caused a lot of havoc for the last two years in local school districts in Chester County.

Schools closed and parents were called in to help their children attend virtual classes.

When the students returned in January, parents and students were protesting mask mandates.

Finally, some good news.

The money Pennsylvania received in COVID- relief funds for elementary and secondary education has recently been distributed to school districts.

The school districts received $7.6 billion, an increase of $525 million, or 7 %, over last year’s spending plan.

Great Valley School District: $3.5 million, a 17.2% increase over last year’s allocation.

The school board in June adopted a $117.7 million budget for the 2022-2023 school year, calling for a 2.5% increase in taxes.

The average house in the district is assessed at $260,584. The increase in taxes amounts to $146 for the average homeowner.

According to a report from U.S. News, 5.4% of the students in the district are learning English as a second language.

The budget includes some costs for constructing a new Fifth and Sixth Grade Center on the site of the former district office at 47 Church Road. The school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2024.

According to a report from the state House Appropriations Committee, here is a funding breakdown for other school districts in the region:

• Tredyffrin/Easttown School District received $4.6 million which amounts to a 14.6%
• Phoenixville Area School District: $6 million, 11.10% over last year’s allocation
• Downingtown Area School District: $17.1 million, a 9.20% over last year’s allocation
• West Chester Area School District: $10 million, a 14.2% increase over last year’s allocation.