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Resident urges board to use 3.9% tax increase for a 'livable contract' for staff
Summary
During public comment a resident criticized the district's communication and urged the board to finalize a livable contract for staff rather than delay while a 3.9% tax increase is in effect.
A resident told the Downingtown Area School District board on Sept. 10 that the district’s public communications are insufficient and urged the board to use recent tax revenue increases to finalize a livable contract for school staff.
“Raising taxes by 3.9% and then not giving in school staff members a livable contract for 25 26,” the resident said, adding that the community receives “one veil flyer a year with very little information for community understanding.” The speaker said they were “part of the community, and I do not understand” the district’s stated priorities and asked the board to finalize — not leave tentative — contract agreements.
The board’s public-comment rules were read earlier in the meeting: members of the public are allowed up to two minutes, the board will listen but not engage in dialogue during the session, and personnel complaints should be directed to the superintendent and provided in writing to the board secretary.
The speaker’s remarks reflected frustration over district communications about the budget and staffing. The transcript records the speaker’s characterization that “72% of the budget goes to salaries” and that there is a “tentative” contract proposal for 2025–26; those statements were presented by the speaker and not expanded on in the public record during the meeting.
