Parents turned out in force last night to beseech the Upper Darby School Board not to adopt a budget that many feel will do irreparable harm to the district.
After a night full of often emotional testimony, a divided board voted 5-3 to preliminarily OK the budget plan, which will eliminate more than 50 teaching positions, as well as scrapping "special" classes in music and art in elementary schools, and language and technology in the middle schools.
You can read the full story here.
Tonight we will host three key Upper Darby school executives on our live-stream Internet broadcast, 'Live From the Newsroom.' Superintendent Lou DeVlieger, Assistant Superintendent Dan McGarry and Business Manager Ed Smith will join us to talk about the difficult decisions they faced in developing this controversial 'realignment' plan.
Last night's vote is not the final word on the plan. A public hearing on the budget is set for May 23, and a final vote will take place in June.
If you have a question you'd like to ask Upper Darby school officials, email it to me at editor@delcotimes.com and we'll put it to them tonight. You also can join the conversation tonight at 7 by logging on to DelcoTimes.com and taking part in a live chat along with our show.
We will be focused on one of the most controversial education issues to hit the county in a long time. Why not join the conversation?
It's not just us looking at education funding, in particular Upper Darby. A lot of fingers have been pointed at the state Capitol - in particular Gov. Tom Corbett - and his austere budgets for some of the cuts being implemented at the local level.
This morning we will hear from the governor himself on budgets, education and the struggles of local districts, including Upper Darby.
Corbett will be the guest of our pal Dom Giordano of Talk Radio 1210 WPHT. Dom will focus on the situation in Upper Darby during his exclusive weekly Gov. Tom Corbett Show. Dom says he will highlight Upper Darby as a microcosm of school district cutbacks around the state.
Corbett is expected specifically to address Upper Darby's need for more state funding.
Dom's interview with the governor will air from 10-11 a.m. on WPHT 1210-AM.
Then you can folow up tomorrow night with our 'Live From the Newsroom' session tonight.
Don't sit on the sidelines. This issue is too important not to have your voice heard. It's not just Upper Darby. Out in York, in central Pa., they are considering cutting kindergarten, guidance, all sports, art, gym, band and choir.
Education funding is fast heading for a crisis point. Now's the time to get involved.
Comments