Chester Upland School District propose budget cuts

Slowly, but surely, we're starting to see what the school budget will look like minus $20 million dollars. We all hope it doesn't come to that, but I don't see anything in the works that will reverse the governor's decision. Do you?

Chester Upland would be forced to cut its teaching force by at least 40 percent, causing student-to-teacher ratios to rise from 21-to-1 to 35-to-1, Wells said.

To make ends meet, the district also would need to hack its support staff by 50 percent, its operational support by 53 percent and its classroom support staff by 18 percent.

Wells said the district would reduce its administrative staff by 13 percent, among other cost-saving administrative measures.

Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs would be reduced and switched to half-days, Wells said. Various after-school programs could require partnerships or fees, she added.

Of the district’s preliminary budget, 66 percent is allocated to instructional services and 22 percent to noninstructional services. Seven percent is devoted to debt service and budgetary reserve, 5 percent to support service and less than 1 percent to student activities and community services.

The district will be hosting public meetings at dates to be announced. It is required to have the preliminary budget available for public inspection by June 1. Chester Upland must pass a final budget by June 30.

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