Radnor School Board Approves $115M Preliminary Budget

RADNOR, PA—The Radnor school board Tuesday night approved a preliminary budget of $115 million, amounting to a $5 million increase over last year’s spending plan.

The budget calls for a 2.78 percent millage increase, which amounts to an increase of $286 for a house assessed at $723,335.

For a house assessed at $250,000, the increase would amount to $99. The district has 3,593 students.

The preliminary budget includes maintaining current class sizes of 21 for kindergarten through third grade; 25 for fourth to eighth grade; and an average of 22 for nine to 12th grade.

The budget includes the implementation of a new counseling program at the high school.

In addition, the proposed spending plan includes $1 million for capital projects.

Dr. Kenneth E. Batchelor, the superintendent, said the budget includes funds for the new Ithan Elementary School to replace the 1963 existing school.

The final budget will be available for review on May 10. The budget is scheduled for adoption on May 30.

The district is expected to receive $16.8 million in state funding and $2 million in federal funding.

Brian Pawling, the district’s business administrator, said he anticipates a surplus this year of $3.3 million.

He said 73 percent of the budget goes to staff salaries and benefits.

Pawling said he does not anticipate any major changes to the final budget.

Lydia Solomon, a board member, said thanked the district for coming up with a fair budget that does not overburden the taxpayers.