Superintendent outlines $4M-plus plan for new state funds, seeks January board OK

Superintendent Doctor Sanchez told the Southeast Delco School District Board on Dec. 11 that the district will receive a new $2.5 million Ready to Learn allocation this school year and additional basic and special-education funds, and proposed a roughly $4 million plan to spend the dollars on staffing and student supports. "This district is receiving another $2,500,000 that we have to use this school year," Doctor Sanchez said.

The plan aggregates multiple funding streams: an increase in basic education funding of about $570,778, special-education funding of roughly $239,042, and an estimated $2 million in reinvested cyber charter savings; Doctor Sanchez said the proposed package accounts for about $4,000,000 with an additional $2,400,000 not yet allocated. "We have over 1,000 students at Southeast Delco who are identified as children with special needs," he said, noting that special-education needs are driving much of the proposal.

Key recommended uses include offering full-time status with benefits to current instructional aides, PCAs and special-education aides (about 130 employees would be affected, Doctor Sanchez said); creating 20 curriculum-coordinator positions across grade bands to update pacing guides and instructional frameworks; hiring deans of students in each K–8 building (two at the high school) to focus on discipline and family communication; and creating structured pathways and dual-enrollment opportunities in partnership with Delaware County Community College.

Doctor Sanchez also proposed hiring 13 additional special-education teachers districtwide (two autistic-support teachers at the case center, additional learning-support teachers and an intensive learning-support teacher for middle grades), expanding English-language (ELL) staff, funding field trips and arts/theater repairs, and investing in athletic equipment. He described a $85,778 increase for out-of-building learning experiences (complementing last year’s $75,000) and smaller sums for arts and athletics.

Operational and safety investments he listed included a district supervisor of behavioral supports, supplemental positions at Academy Park High School, a residency-check service called CLEAR, science interventionists ahead of accountability testing, and replacement of aging walkie-talkies.

Board members pressed for detail. One director asked, "On the dean of students, how is that different than the vice principal roles that we currently have right now?" Doctor Sanchez responded that the dean would be dedicated to managing discipline and related follow-up so assistant principals could focus on broader administrative duties. Another director asked whether the block grant is permanent; Doctor Sanchez said the Ready to Learn block grant is written into law and the district expects recurring dollars in coming years but cautioned that future amounts depend on state budget actions and enrollment reporting.

Public commenters acknowledged the need for more special-education staff but raised practical concerns. April Kessler, a kindergarten-center counselor and former special-education teacher, said she "love[s] the idea of 2 more autistic support teachers" but warned, "my only concern with all of this is we don't have space." Another commenter asked the board to avoid meetings outside the Sunshine Act and raised nepotism concerns.

Doctor Sanchez emphasized timing constraints: these funds "must be used this school year," and he said the administration will present formal recommendations for board approval at the January meeting with the goal of beginning implementation Jan. 24, 2026. The board did not vote on the superintendent's plan on Dec. 11; it was presented for discussion and forthcoming formal action.