Board tables superintendent contract vote as public raises questions about $9 million budget shortfall and raises

The William Penn School District Board of Directors on March 24 postponed a vote on a proposed employment contract for Superintendent Dr. Eric B. Coats as community members and union leaders demanded answers about an estimated $9 million shortfall tied to special‑education personal care assistant (PCA) invoices and questioned recent administrator raises.

Board President Boykins announced the motion would be tabled “because we are waiting for information from a third party entity. So we want to ensure that the information that we are providing to the public is accurate. So we are tabling this motion at this time.” The draft contract presented to the board specified a start date of May 18, 2025, a three‑year term through May 17, 2028, and an initial annual salary of $230,000 with further increases beginning July 2026; the board postponed action while it awaits outside review.

Why it matters: speakers at the meeting tied the contract discussion to a recently disclosed district deficit that community members and staff say has led to cuts in services and staffing, late buses, canceled vendors and anxiety among teachers and families. The William Penn Education Association urged the board to hold “proper accountability for these actions, not rewards,” saying teachers and aides are being asked to do more with less after the district discovered the budget shortfall.

Public comment, union statement and requests for investigation

Several residents and union representatives used the board’s public‑comment period to demand an explanation and urged the board not to renew the superintendent’s contract. Andrea Fink, president of the William Penn…