Board Hears Grim Budget Projections

Martha Kew, business administrator of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, presented a sobering budget report to the school board at its meeting on Monday. “We have never seen anything like this situation,” she said, citing the large number of unknown factors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that could worsen district finances.

Superintendent Lisa Palmer echoed Kew’s concern. “I believe there is more uncertainty surrounding this budget than I have ever seen,” she said. 

The proposed preliminary 2020-21 budget approved by the board last January assumed revenue of $86,213,286. But revenue in the proposed final budget is now estimated at only  $84,222,964, due to low interest rates and a dip in real estate transfer taxes. Expenditures, however, remain at an estimated $87,129,381. This creates a projected shortfall of nearly $3 million.

Raising more revenue for the schools is challenging. The district had already factored into its 2020-21 budget projections the maximum 3.4% tax increase allowed without a referendum. 

Furthermore, the legislature has considered property tax freezes, Kew said. If the commonwealth were to pass a law preventing school districts from raising property taxes, WSSD’s deficit could reach almost $5 million.

In a response to a question from Board President David Grande about the district’s dependence on residential property taxes, Kew noted that WSSD has the lowest proportion of commercial property in the state. “We are dependent upon the local tax payer,” she said.

WSSD Business Administrator Martha Kew outlines “bleak” financial outlook for the 2020-21 school year.

Many Unknowns

Kew outlined some of the unknown variables for the coming year. It’s uncertain whether school will be held in school buildings, remotely from home, or through some combination. In-person school might stagger student hours, requiring more busing. Supplies like masks, sanitizing stations, and temperature scanners might be needed. Additional technology for remote learning might be necessary. District expenditures could skyrocket.

Making matters even more difficult, 20% of the WSSD budget comes from subsidies from the commonwealth. Their future is also unknown, as Pennsylvania wrestles with its own budget problems. “If there are downward adjustments in the subsidies, we will have further erosion of our revenue position,” Kew said.

Kew reminded the board that the district spends 70% of its budget on salaries and benefits.

Board member Damon Orsetti urged district residents to contact their state senators, Tim Kearney and Tom Killion, and state representative Leanne Krueger, to voice concerns about commonwealth contributions to school budgets. “If enough people do it, it is definitely something that is effective,” he said.

Grande assured district families that the board and the community will find a way through the current crisis. “This is an excellent school district,” he said. “It will remain an excellent school district.”

The final budget will be presented to the board for approval on June 22.

School Calendar 

Superintendent Lisa Palmer noted some changes to the current WSSD school calendar, already conveyed to district families via email. May 15 will be a teacher in-service day. The last school day for students in grades K-11 will be June 11.

Strath Haven High School graduation will be held on June 5, as originally planned. The graduation ceremony will be held remotely. “Even though our graduation will be virtual, it will be a special date for our graduates,” Palmer said.

June 12-19 have been designated in-service days to help teachers plan for the coming school year — “in whatever form that may take,” Palmer said.

Palmer told the board that the administration is preparing for a range of possible scenarios for the 2020-21 school year. These include returning to school without restrictions, returning to school with aggressive social distancing measures, reopening but being ready to leave in the case of a coronavirus resurgence, and conducting school entirely remotely. “We have to be ready for all possibilities,” Palmer said.

Parent Concerns

Board member Jennifer Lentz shared feedback about current school experiences received from approximately 10-15 parents since the board’s last meeting on April 27. 

“Everybody starts out expressing their thankfulness,” Lentz said. Families are grateful for everything the teachers and administration have done to support students at this difficult time, she reported. “That’s not lost on anybody.”

But Lentz also heard frustration with the district’s flexible learning program. For one thing, the multiple platforms in use can be challenging for both children and parents.

Furthermore, some parents were concerned that Director of Secondary Education Denise Citarelli Jones’ presentation at the last board meeting on the district’s flexible learning program, instituted as a roadmap for remote learning as the schools closed in March, cited only its successes, without acknowledging its difficulties. Lentz said, “The lack of cons made many parents feel invalidated.” 

Finally, Lentz reported that some parents feel they are being asked to do a great deal of teaching and support of their children, but that their feedback seems not to be heard by teachers and principals. “These parents are asked to have a pivotal role in the education of their kids,” she said. “But when it comes to having real useful input in what is and isn’t working, that communication isn’t being received.”

Some parents have found themselves completing assignments for their children, according to Lentz. In addition, she has heard that some children — especially those new to school — hate learning, while some parents regard the administration with suspicion.

Lentz suggested that Citarelli Jones might give a follow-up presentation at a future board meeting offering more information about the evolution of the flexible learning program and addressing it more comprehensively. 

“We all know that the only way to understand the full evolution of anything,” Lentz said, “is to include the cons and the hurdles along with the positive results.”

To view a video of this or any other past WSSD school-board meeting: swat.ink/school-board. 

The next WSSD School Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 26, at 7 p.m. This and all future virtual meetings can be seen live on WSSD’s YouTube channel: swat.ink/wssd-youtube.

To make comments as part of school board meetings, call 610-892-3470, ext. 1102, and leave a phone message of no more than three minutes – before, during, or up until the end of the meeting. Phoned-in comments must include the commenter’s name, full address, and phone number.