West Chester School District Approves $296M Budget For 2022-23

WEST CHESTER, PA – The West Chester Area school board Wednesday night adopted a $296.9 million school budget for the 2022-23 school year, amounting to a 6%, or $17.5 million, increase over last year’s spending plan.

The budget calls for a 1.7% tax increase, estimated at $70 for Chester County property owners and a 4.4 % increase, estimated at $208 for Delaware County property owners.

The average assessed home value in Chester County is $189,850, which is approximately one-half of the home's market value.

The average assessed home value in the Delaware County portion of the District is $502,336, which represents 100% of the market value.

The property tax millage rates for West Chester remain one of the lowest in Chester County.

The district utilized savings from the 2021-22 operations to help offset the millage increases needed for the 2022-23 budget.

The district's undesignated fund balance is approximately $19.1 million.

The district has 12,070 students.

The budget increase is primarily to fund $5 million in construction costs associated with the Glen Acres Elementary School renovation project as well as $500,000 for technology and distance learning initiatives.
Other increases include more than $3.3 million directly related to the following state and federal mandates;

• $2.2 million increase in state-mandated pension expenses, a 5.9 %increase over the current year's budget.
• $1.1 million increase in charter school tuition, a 12 %increase over the current year.

"This budget includes additional support for completing the renovations at Glen Acres Elementary School,” Superintendent Bob Sokolowski said.

“Through the personal additions and investment in our faculty and staff, the District’s budget demonstrates our continued commitment to enhancing the educational opportunities and experiences of our students as they work to achieve their personal best.”

Staff upgrades

• To remain competitive in the current job market and attract talented, passionate educators and staff to the district, the 2022-23 budget reflects an investment in the new teacher’s contract that was settled in September of 2021.

Salaries and benefits for the district's 1,507 employees is the largest component of the budget, which rose $6.6 million, or 4%. The 2022-23 budget includes the addition of new staff in three key areas:

Pupil Services:

• 3 special education teachers
• 1 pupil service supervisor
• 1 behavior specialist coordinator

Curriculum and Instruction:

• 1 K-12 ELA Supervisor
• 1 Language Art Supervisor

• 4 reading specialist K-12
• 1 Instructional Technology Coordinator
• 
  

Technology Support Services

• 2 Coordinators of Technical Services

The District has included $500,000 for mental health therapists contracted through the Chester County Intermediate Unit to offer additional support for our students.

The district officiats are projecting a $740,000 increase in this year's budget, which covers books, supplies, utilities, debt service, and other operating expenses.

"The board worked collaboratively with the administration to establish priorities and ensure a successful path forward for our district,” Sue Tiernan, board president, said. “Our goal, which I believe this budget accomplishes, is to effectively balance the needs of our tax paying community while also addressing the needs of our students and families.”