Superintendent highlights charter outreach, construction progress and state budget gains
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Summary
The superintendent reported construction progress at Doe/Dough Run Elementary, said a district outreach campaign has returned 64 students from charters (saving about $500,000), and discussed an estimated $6.3 million net increase from the recent state budget that may reduce pressure on reserves.
The Coatesville Area School District superintendent told the school board Nov. 25 that district construction and outreach efforts are progressing while the state budget picture slightly improves.
In a report to the board, the superintendent said work at the new Doe/Dough Run Elementary is advancing, with much of the building under roof and a goal to have the project enclosed by December so interior work can proceed for an August opening. "You can tell it's gonna be a really neat school and one that the students are going to love to attend," the superintendent said.
The superintendent described a district campaign to encourage charter-school families to return. "With that campaign in just over the last three months... we have welcomed back a total of 64 students," the superintendent said, adding that the change reduces charter-tuition outflows by "almost $500,000." The superintendent also stated that charter tuition accounts for about $74,000,000 of the district budget; the figure was reported by the superintendent in the meeting as an approximate district-level estimate.
On the state budget, district staff briefed the board that the recent state budget will have a roughly $6.3 million positive effect for the district, a figure described as a combination of direct increases and savings tied to cyber-charter funding reforms. Staff cautioned that some state revenues had not yet been reflected in the month's income report and that the new funds will help avoid drawing on planned reserves.
The superintendent also highlighted district community work — Thanksgiving basket deliveries, a new mural at Reeseville, and student civic programs — and reminded the board of an upcoming reorganization meeting scheduled for Dec. 9.
The board did not take further formal action on these topics at the meeting; several items related to redistricting and the Doe/Dough Run opening were listed for the board meeting on Dec. 9.