[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6531806,"mediaKeyId","3449973-94294caf81b7b82421ae902bfe312be4","parentId",3449973,"title","Parents and residents press Chester‑Upland for plan to improve safety at Toby Farms; administration promises summer actions","audioSeconds",577,"startMs",2440000,"endMs",3017000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3449973-94294caf81b7b82421ae902bfe312be4&start=2440&end=3017","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3449973-94294caf81b7b82421ae902bfe312be4/thumbnail_2440000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6531806/Pennsylvania/Parents-and-residents-press-ChesterUpland-for-plan-to-improve-safety-at-Toby-Farms-administration-promises-summer-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531806-4ee563abab6b86dae4043f49b1aadfff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770842132&Signature=ce0828nZbT8XHSN3CZbZfoc9~SCjbsJzqzCTnicw72xkrOesrP417ExlGtjarHy7lmKQ1M1Hjch-NeotXQyNw5shP2a5w3FKaNjDXKu3c~eJO3NxmgLGD75gFLD5oDTZEyLd~gb22u91MxlJFtzj~g5bETkvNJZUju1a8-5tT1RM9tA-VFEDT0gpDTwQPedOlwsCjwUqb1EE5LOhF3Dmq9tjtJsK42uTqiqU1anbpIkmt52fiFdhwt1ztbKvdkeHuEkfOLOjIJCbTZdVjZm2aKvp8LhX0g1bgAZOvQPnlQIg8QujRtiIwiNbgh2ElbaClI5Q0aegOJh1PrnJqhYzYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chester-Upland School District","date","2025-05-22T06:34:58Z","article","Community members used the public‑comment portion of the May 22 receivers meeting to press Chester‑Upland School District leaders for a firm, permanent plan to address safety and school climate problems at Toby Farms Middle School.

Jean Arnold, a resident who identified her address for the record, told the meeting she and others in the community are “doubly concerned” because Toby Farms is the district’s middle school and “all of our students will eventually pass through Toby Farms.” Arnold described a perceived erosion of safety at the building, the departure of school leaders and frequent incidents that have harmed teaching and learning.

Receiver Nichols and district administrators responded in the meeting that they have reviewed camera footage, conducted investigations and increased central‑office attention at the school. Nichols said central administrators have been in the building daily for more than a month and she has personally visited the school multiple times. She described ongoing coordination with law‑enforcement partners and said the district is discussing a possible school resource officer in coordination with Chester Township (not Chester city), noting the need to coordinate with the proper municipal police jurisdiction.

Nichols said the district plans to implement a districtwide “zero tolerance” approach to safety issues, adopt best practices, and begin the school year with a clear tone and staffing placements to address turbulent situations. The receiver and administrators said they expect to present more detailed plans to the public this summer and said they may ask for community participation as part of implementing and monitoring the measures. The administration said some operational details cannot be disclosed publicly because of privacy and legal constraints, but that leadership will provide as much transparency as allowable.

Ending

Speakers and administrators agreed on the need for follow‑through. Community members asked for a detailed, permanent plan; the administration said one is being developed and promised continued communication and accountability.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Receiver's Meeting: 5/22/25","oneSentenceSummary","Parents and residents pressed district leaders at the May 22 Chester‑Upland receivers meeting for a permanent plan to address safety and climate problems at Toby Farms Middle School; administrators said they have been conducting daily reviews, working with law enforcement and will present more detailed summer actions.","taxTitle","Chester-Upland SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",39917,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6531816,"Chester-Upland preliminary budget shows deficit; district posts proposed millage increase to narrow gap",1214,286000,1500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3449973-94294caf81b7b82421ae902bfe312be4&start=286&end=1500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3449973-94294caf81b7b82421ae902bfe312be4/thumbnail_286000.jpg","/articles/6531816/Pennsylvania/Chester-Upland-preliminary-budget-shows-deficit-district-posts-proposed-millage-increase-to-narrow-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531816-83db52389c269400dca605d03a8bd387/orig.mp4?Expires=1770842132&Signature=nsg4Q~k33VPIbLsidOqgqsaxG0yxl0kiq6Q~8jBGzByyioNJadvIF7VHYk76CAZLpK0dWp0GPiFk~-VzPrdU6Va7lilu654xamvejz4c45Pr0YPLe6EZ524jHHhAkHkqtTAVI7ZjdaYWJMH9TjRNShr59CfbO-fHfG9a8r1Mu3eg-NSwsFtFK1nnsWN9aWwWXx6jcbF7n8TXV7rS461W0EjOMfZeqpzBKLgI6V2zlLfytFtK~iyTewQY4AAYn6kZaLxy2lPJJgw1Gi3PaQW2yTRG3ZYw377mzHw-SKLvAkDm379x~xBQvVw7hHo4vJqFTdT90hRyVQhBvi4xeAPULA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chester-Upland School District officials presented a preliminary 2025–26 budget at the receivers advisory council meeting on May 22, saying the district faces a multi‑million dollar shortfall and has posted a proposed millage increase to help cover the gap.

The presentation by Miss Gathers, the district finance presenter, said projected revenues for the coming fiscal year are about $172.9 million against expenses of roughly $174.5 million, leaving a preliminary shortfall of about $1.58 million after applying the maximum local millage increase shown on the slides. Earlier in the presentation presenters described larger shortfalls under different assumptions: a $2.8 million operating shortfall and, once the district’s 86% collection ratio is accounted for, an effective billed shortfall of about $3.1 million.

The budget matters because Chester‑Upland relies heavily on state funding and has limited taxable property in Chester city, officials said. Receiver Nichols and staff said the district is constrained by a tax‑index cap set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and by a high share of tax‑exempt properties in the city.

District officials outlined the major drivers of the shortfall. The loss of tax revenue after Crozer Medical Center reduced or stopped payments was cited as a roughly $2.2 million hit. The end of one charter school’s discounted reimbursement agreement and higher charter reimbursements overall were described as a major budget pressure: presenters said charter costs now consume roughly 40% of the district’s operating budget and that charter expenditures increased about 16% compared with the prior year. Officials also cited the end of ESSER federal funds that previously supported curriculum, technology and capital investments; rising health‑insurance premiums (a reported 7% increase, described as nearly $4 million); a 15% rise in property and casualty insurance; and general inflation in utilities and supplies.

Miss Gathers explained how millage is calculated and displayed the maximum millage amounts on the slides: the presentation listed a maximum allowable millage of about 15.2753 mills for Chester city and about 14.2862 mills for the borough/township under the scenarios shown. The presenters also referenced a district‑level index number (described in the meeting as a PDE index) said to limit year‑to‑year increases. Public speakers asked that the posted budget language for the agenda be amended to indicate the district would consider “up to a 6.3 millage rate” while officials continue to pursue internal reductions and track state funding decisions.

Officials said the district is relying on conservative state funding scenarios while it waits for final state appropriation language. The finance presentation included revenue breakdowns showing roughly 66% of revenue from the state, about 11% from local real estate, and the remainder from federal and other sources; the presenters said Title I–IV and other federal grants account for the bulk of federal funds and that “Ready to Learn” and similar grants are included in federal revenue assumptions.

Receiver Nichols and staff said the preliminary budget is subject to revision before final adoption, and they noted the district must post the preliminary budget and hold a public hearing before a final adoption date (the district referenced a June adoption timeline). In the meeting the receiver said there is a possibility of a special meeting prior to the June adoption if state funding or other variables require adjustments.

Votes at a glance

- Minutes from the April 24 meeting: approved. (No mover/second recorded in the transcript.)
- Education agenda items A1–A12: approved. (No mover/second recorded in the transcript.)
- Personnel item B1: approved. (No mover/second recorded in the transcript.)
- Business agenda items C1–C16: approved with a noted correction to item C16 indicating the posted millage language would say “up to a 6.3 millage rate.” (No mover/second recorded in the transcript.)

District next steps and public input

Officials said they will continue to revise figures as state budget numbers become firmer and as the district seeks internal reductions. Staff repeatedly emphasized the preliminary nature of the posted budget and encouraged the public to review the posted documents and attend the public hearing before the final adoption.

The receiver and staff also asked the public to be mindful of the district’s limited local tax base—slides and remarks noted more than half of Chester city property is tax‑exempt—and to consider the collection ratio (the district said it collects about 86% of billed local revenue) when evaluating revenue needs.

Ending

District officials said the objective is to minimize any tax increase while maintaining fiscal responsibility and complying with the court‑approved recovery plan. They said further budget work and public hearings will occur before a final adoption in June.","Chester‑Upland School District officials presented a preliminary 2025–26 budget on May 22 showing a multi‑million dollar shortfall driven by higher charter costs, the loss of Crozer Medical Center tax revenue and the end of ESSER funds; the district posted the preliminary budget and signaled a proposed millage increase while continuing to pursue internal reductions and await state funding clarity.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6531811,"Chester‑Upland HR: staffing gains in hiring, but high staff absences and contract talks pose budget and operational risks",0,3008000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3449973-94294caf81b7b82421ae902bfe312be4&start=3008&end=3008","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3449973-94294caf81b7b82421ae902bfe312be4/thumbnail_3008000.jpg","/articles/6531811/Pennsylvania/ChesterUpland-HR-staffing-gains-in-hiring-but-high-staff-absences-and-contract-talks-pose-budget-and-operational-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531811-af4283c4867e743cb0c5b4b43f457604/orig.mp4?Expires=1770842132&Signature=ap5XtfM6jlWOmOGLqNVWa8pejgn9XvySVC46JuQU2MZXQKkcEKuIpbt-6HFkQFkVQRgsSmo6ylazCH4lSqin1wE~H6dEcScg4Zo5Jhrdxe~LquxgFGG7iCcKnpnitolPhv4cJuyjfkUixKqFwjG877S5Oa25iQgjkO9pVovlII8rD-B6hxQpDab0gEj-9w~~s4JORLspelRHOXeGuGauYsB3dvGUg7lboxztta5rWNewNmFIGadWJNUstG0~Fnc0O61my01kjnTUSLB75tEBbid4YcaCweGWbWkfWHME0HiI-CVrbqGqXX-tauuAtw6aYhmHdXukY0e66Tibl7PhqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Human resources leaders in the Chester‑Upland School District reported recruitment and retention progress for the 2024–25 school year but warned that high staff absences and pending contract negotiations create operational and budgetary uncertainty.

Dr. Pless, the district’s HR presenter, told the receivers advisory council on May 22 that the HR team recruited 36 professional staff members during the year; 21 of those recruits were appropriately certified and the district reduced emergency‑certified staff to 15. The district also reported a large drop in midyear resignations at two historically high‑turnover schools—Chester High School and Edgemont Scholars Academy—declining from more than 25 midyear resignations in 2023–24 to fewer than five for 2024–25.

At the same time, Dr. Pless said staff absence data is concerning. For professional staff the district reported:

- 80 staff with 10 or more absences during the school year (count used for federal reporting),
- 76 professional staff with 18 or more absences, and
- 19 professional staff with 30 or more absences.

Support staff totals were also reported: 106 support staff with 10 or more absences, 62 with 18 or more, and 13 with 30 or more absences. Dr. Pless said the district’s payroll‑based staff count is 396 employees; the presentation noted that 72% of school staff had 10 or more absences, 35% had 18 or more, and 8% had 30 or more.

Dr. Pless tied attendance and retention problems to both morale and historical practices, saying the district must communicate expectations and align practices with the court‑approved recovery plan. She said the HR department will engage staff to improve morale, coordinate with legal on egregious cases, implement health‑insurance eligibility audits, and continue recruitment initiatives. The HR presenter also said the preliminary budget includes proposed salary increases for all employee groups beginning July 1, though the professional staff contract remains under negotiation.

On collective bargaining, Dr. Pless said the district participated in fact‑finding on May 1 and received the fact‑finder’s report on May 21; the district is reviewing the report. She said the district’s bargaining goals are to comply with the recovery plan, maximize instructional quality, provide reasonable wage increases given the financial position, and slow health‑care cost growth.

Dr. Pless said all district contracts other than the professional contract are settled and that the district expects negotiated outcomes to affect other bargaining units. She said the district intends to implement insurance changes where feasible on July 1 and to continue recruiting for critical positions over the summer.

Ending

Human resources officials said they will present a follow‑up update in September about summer work, staffing ratios and any changes to positions tied to the final budget.","Human resources reported recruitment gains and reduced midyear resignations at high‑turnover schools, while also presenting data showing widespread employee absences and ongoing contract negotiations with professional staff that could affect the budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parents and residents press Chester‑Upland for plan to improve safety at Toby Farms; administration promises summer actions

Chester-Upland preliminary budget shows deficit; district posts proposed millage increase to narrow gap

Chester‑Upland HR: staffing gains in hiring, but high staff absences and contract talks pose budget and operational risks