York Dispatch
Nine parents testified at the West Shore School District and Eastern York School District s board meetings Thursday night about concerns they had with each district s health and safety plan for the 2021-22 school year.
Both boards passed their plans with a unanimous vote, despite the parents concerns. A larger group of parents, including several who testified on Thursday, also testified at the June 17 board meeting against a potential mask mandate, which is not included in either plan.
At least 43 people testified against mask mandates at six local school board meetings last month, including at West Shore, despite none of the districts proposing a mandate. School districts must submit their health and safety plans for the 2021-22 school year by July 30 to be eligible for COVID-19 relief funding, and many of the parents were concerned that the plans would include mask mandates.
York County school districts launch summer meal programs to feed kids
York Dispatch
With food insecurity rates rising across Pennsylvania, several local school districts have started free summer meal programs to get food to families in need.
At least seven of York County s 16 public school districts are advertising summer meal programs on their websites, all of which have already launched or will launch next week.
The COVID-19 pandemic elevated the need for these programs as food insecurity levels rose statewide. According to the nonprofit Communities In Schools of Pennsylvania, food insecurity for children in the state rose from 15% to 35% during the pandemic, partially due to the increase in at-home learning limiting food access in some households.
After considering a 1.66% tax hike, Eastern York School District will not be raising property taxes for residents.
Board members unanimously approved the final budget of $49.94 million in expenditures and $49.47 million in revenues for the 2021-22 fiscal year at the May 20 school board meeting. Taxes will remain at 24.69 mills, which was the rate for the past two fiscal years. Rather than utilize a tax increase to cover a $475,000 deficit, the district will pull from a reserve account called âuse of assigned fund balance.â
For the median assessed property value of $121,870, a homeowner will pay approximately $3,009 in taxes.
âTheyâre (the board) just trying to support the community and with the pandemic trying to make sure that theyâre doing the best they can during the difficult time,â Teresa Weaver, board secretary, said after the meeting.
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