‘Major’ Budget Presentation

The Upper Dublin School board will discuss the district’s 2013-14 budget; according to the agenda, the board could approve layoffs and furloughs.

  Upper Dublin School District Superintendent Michael Pladus said Monday night’s school board meeting will include a “major” budget presentation. The district has been looking for ways to pare down a deficit since the budget process began. Most recently, the district approved an early retirement incentive plan for its teachers; Pladus said it’s possible the plan could drum up $750,000 in savings, but ten teachers have to sign up. The deficit stands at about $2 million. Pladus would not say how many teachers have already taken the early retirement option, and added that teachers have until early May to decide. See the story here. According to the agenda, the board could approve some furloughs at the meeting and some “non-tenured individuals…

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Master Classes to Come to SRMS Band Students

Sandy Run Middle School students take a field trip ... with no permission slips.

  There’s a lot of talk revolving around the Upper Dublin School District’s 2013-14 budget woes … especially when it comes to the arts. But one teacher is doing what he can to enhance his students’ musical experience. Sandy Run Middle School band and jazz band director Sean Kennedy called in a couple of favors to his friends. Kennedy, a professional musician, reached out to several of his fellow musicians with whom he has played over the years, and invited them to come to the middle school for some master classes. “We’re calling it ‘Field Trips to the Band Room,’ and it’s in lieu of going to the city, or anywhere else, for a performance,” Kennedy said. “There’s no travel cost and no bus.” Kennedy said ran the idea through the school’s …

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School Budget's ‘Less Controversial’ Aspects Reviewed

The Upper Dublin School District is still facing a budget deficit; big decisions will likely be made next month.

The Upper Dublin School Board held its first budget-only meeting Monday night, but it looks like significant talks, or action, will happen next month. Upper Dublin School District Business Administrator Brenda Bray presented the district’s 2013-14 preliminary budget to the board and to the audience. The dry presentation started at 6 p.m. and ended just before 9 p.m. Boiled down: The school district is facing a budget deficit. Bray’s presentation had a slide that outlined the preliminary budget. The slide showed a total revenue figure of about $84.6 million, and a total expenditure figure of $87.2 million — to close the gap, it assumed the use of about $2.6 million in fund balance, leaving $8,116 in fund balance at the end of June 2014. But…

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'Not a Whole Lot Has Changed,' Superintendent Says of Budget

The school board voted for approval of the preliminary budget at the Feb. 4 meeting.

‘Not a Whole Lot Has Changed,’ Superintendent Says of Budget

The school board doesn't discuss the budget at length ... but it will on Feb. 25 and March 18.

The Upper Dublin School Board recommended board approval of the 2013-14 preliminary budget at its work session meeting last night … but there wasn’t much said about it. About three weeks ago, the school board presented its proposed preliminary budget. The presentation highlighted a budget deficit, a proposed tax increase and likely “broad and comprehensive” cuts. See the initial story, as well as the then-proposed cuts, here. At last night’s meeting, Upper Dublin School District Superintendent Michael Pladus said, “Not a whole lot has changed in 21 days … Behind the scenes, I can tell you, not a day goes by when we’re not spending hours trying to come up with budgetary reductions.” Richard Petruschke, a Fort Washington resident, was the …

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Upper Dublin School Board Meeting Tonight

Check out what's on tonight's agenda.

  The Upper Dublin School Board will meet tonight at 7 p.m. According to the draft agenda, the board will discuss the 2013-14 preliminary budget as well as "district-wide cost reduction plan options."  The board will also consider the 2013-14 budget for the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology. The next work session meeting is scheduled for Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Cardinal Room. To see the whole agenda, click on the pdf section to the right.

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