By Kara Crump
Staff Writer
The Chester County Board of Education held a special called meeting at the Chester County Board Office on Tuesday evening, July 30. Board Member Clay Rodgers attended the meeting by video call, and all other members were present. Roll call and recommendation was stated; motion was made by Ben Cupples and seconded by Becky Hutcherson.
This special meeting was placed to meet for the 2024-25 revised draft. Director of Schools Troy Kilzer II went before the Chester County Budget Committee to propose a nonrecurring gift of $140,000 from the TBA tax. This was to close the gap the County General had acquired of $156,000. While this helps the County General, it also benefits the school board, resulting in a 4% increase in the salary base for all Chester County Schools faculty and staff members. This revised draft and nonrecurring gift also helps the Board of Education sustain their contracts with their teachers. This was already approved by the Chester County Budget Committee at their meeting held on Monday, July 29.
The motion to approve this revised draft and proposal was made by Cupples and seconded by Hutcherson. All were unanimously in favor with none opposed.
Chester County Trustee Lance Beshires went before the board members to personally thank them. “This is wonderful for the Chester County Budget Committee, and we all are just so thankful.”
“I just wanted to tell you how much the budget committee, the budget advisory committee, the county commission and the citizens appreciates this gift,” Beshires stated before the board. “We couldn’t have done it without you, just want to let you know how much we appreciate each one of you for your vote. Thank you.”
Following the acceptance, the Board of Education went before the Chester County commissioners at the County Commission meeting to move forward on Monday, Aug.5. The next board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the Chester County Board Office Room.
