Unionville‑Chadds Ford board hears proposed $106M 2024–25 budget, weighs options to ease Chadds Ford tax spike

Unionville‑Chadds Ford School District administrators on May 6 presented a proposed final 2024–25 budget of roughly $106 million and outlined next steps toward adoption on June 17. The administration said the plan is effectively balanced — using about $43,000 of fund balance — and leaves unassigned reserves at the board policy minimum of 5%.

Superintendent doctor Sandoval framed the budget as "the fruit of over a year of labor" and said it funds the long‑range facilities plan and the first year of full‑day kindergarten. Finance director mister Dady said the budget is "almost $106,000,000" and that the district will use about $43,000 in fund balance, which he described as effectively balanced in that context.

Why it matters: local revenue composes about 81% of the district’s receipts and 76% of the budget is real‑estate tax driven. Unionville‑Chadds Ford is a multi‑county district; the two‑county calculation that allocates tax burden using two‑year‑old market values results in a weighted average 4.4% tax increase but produces much larger increases for homeowners in Chadds Ford Township in Delaware County.

Budget details and tradeoffs: administrators said employee compensation (salaries and benefits) and special education costs are the largest drivers of the year‑over‑year expenditure increase (about $2.7 million combined). The budget includes $600,000 of ongoing funding for full‑day kindergarten and roughly $530,000 in one‑time capital expenditures for classroom renovations and furniture, financed from capital funds. A recently approved bond adds a $650,000 debt service payment that will settle on May 23.

Fund balance and investment income: the administration estimates the 2023–24 ending general fund balance near $7.9 million and projects a modest surplus this year; Moody’s cited the district’s strong local economy in maintaining a double‑A1 rating but noted declining enrollment and shrinking reserves as potential credit risks. Board members pressed administration on investment earnings — the district collected about $2.2 million this year but budgeted only $1.0 million conservatively for 2024–25 — and discussed whether to increase that projection to reduce the tax impact.

Next steps and board choices: Dady told the board the administration will present a proposed final budget at the May 13 work session and the board plans to vote at the June 17 regular meeting, allowing the required 30‑day public notice. To lower the Delaware County millage increase to under 10% in that county, administration said options include eliminating the trial elementary activities allocation, delaying full‑day kindergarten implementation (saving $600,000), or removing about 4.5 FTEs; administration emphasized that program and staffing reductions should be made as complete program cuts rather than leaving underfunded programs.

Public comment: none. The board held director comments and adjourned.