Unionville‑Chadds Ford board approves proposed 2024–25 budget; finance staff reports favorable bond sale terms

The Unionville‑Chadds Ford School District board moved May 13 to approve its proposed final general fund budget for 2024–25 and, after discussion, recorded the motion as passing 6–3.

Finance staff highlighted small adjustments since the budget hearing: projected interest income was increased by $300,000 and a retirement came in that reduced expenditures by $30,000. Staff said the net effect yields a 3.99% weighted‑average tax increase in the proposal presented to the board. The motion as read at the meeting referenced millage rates of 32.61 mills in Chester County and 18.57 mills in Delaware County.

During the finance presentation, staff also updated the board on a recent bond sale. Officials said settlement was scheduled in weeks and described an average rate just under 3.25% over the term. They noted the bond structure included a seven‑year call option—earlier than the more typical 10‑year call—allowing refinancing flexibility before larger principal payments begin later in the bond schedule.

Board discussion focused on the distribution of tax increases across the district’s two counties and the remaining time to seek additional revenue or cuts before the final adoption vote. The finance chair said the district was approximately $770,000 from reaching an internal threshold that would push the averaged tax increase under 10% for affected areas.

The board took a voice vote; the chair recorded the result as "That passes 6‑3." The board did not provide a full roll call in the public record during the work session.