COVID-Relief Boosts T/E District’s State Funds 14.6%

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

Tredyffrin/Easttown School District received $4.6 million which amounts to a 14.6% increase in state funds.

The school board in July approved a $166 million budget, including a 2.9% increase in real estate taxes.

The millage increase is .7408 from the previous years. The tax rate is $25.85 pre $1,000 of assessed property value.

The district has 6,957 students and covers Tredyffrin and Easttown townships. Niche.com ranked Tredyffrin-Easttown School District as #2 in the state.

Michele Burger, board member, voted against approving the budget, noting the state has a seven billion surplus that should be allocated to schools.

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

• Phoenixville Area School District: $6 million, 11.10% over last year’s allocation
• Great Valley School District: $3.5 million, a 17.2% increase 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.