Superintendent McGarry highlights student achievements and outlines state budget items that could affect district funding
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Summary
Superintendent Daniel McGarry recognized student and teacher accomplishments — including an ethics bowl regional win, PMEA selections and three National Merit finalists — and reviewed elements of the proposed state budget that, if enacted, could increase district funding by an estimated $9 million, according to his remarks.
Superintendent Daniel McGarry delivered the district report and used the time to recognize student and staff accomplishments and to summarize key elements of the proposed state budget that could affect the district's funding.
Recognitions and student achievements McGarry recognized the Upper Darby High School ethics bowl team and coaches for winning the Delaware Valley Regional Ethics Bowl, including a reported final score of 154–147. He named student participants (John Peter Quillen, Sabrina Galati, Chloe Thompson, Sylvia Langston and Delaney Jordan) and coaches (including teacher Sue Beckett and Chris Nielsen). He also announced three National Merit Scholarship finalists — Ajmain Aban, Abdullah Ilocli and Emily Fishback — and multiple Pennsylvania Music Educators Association regional ensemble selections, naming students and instruments where cited.
State budget summary and potential district impact McGarry reviewed components of Governor Shapiro's proposed state budget as described at the meeting. He listed several line items discussed in the proposal: $526,000,000 for underfunded schools, $75,000,000 distributed through the basic education funding formula, $40,000,000 for special education, $25,000,000 for school facility improvements (described in the meeting as contributing toward a total of $125,000,000), $111,000,000 for safe schools, $5,500,000 for career and technical education, and $41,600,000 for pre‑K. He also noted discussion about setting cyber tuition rates at $8,000 per student. McGarry said that if the proposed budget were to pass as described, the district could ‘‘be looking at potentially $9,000,000 more in funding,’' while noting the district remains between $16 million and $21 million short each year in state funding under current allocations.
Advocacy activity McGarry reported he attended a public advocacy event hosted by Children's First with members of the community and legislators, including Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon and state representative Leanne Krueger (as read from the transcript). He said the district will continue to advocate for increased funding.
Other remarks McGarry thanked principals and staff highlighted earlier in the meeting and applauded community volunteers. He reiterated that if there are credible federal funding changes affecting Title I–IV the district would report back with plans to balance the budget.
No formal board action was requested on the budget summary during the meeting; McGarry framed the budget discussion as an update and direction for advocacy.
