Memorial Day, End of Year Activities, Budget and Goals

Memorial Day, End of Year Activities, Budget and Goals
Posted on 05/28/2022

Good evening!  Hope this blog finds you and your family safe and well this Memorial Day Weekend.  Quakertown values those who serve our country. Look around downtown on lamp posts where many of our community’s veterans are recognized with a banner.  Quakertown traditionally pauses every Memorial Day to recognize those who made the ultimate sacrifice with a downtown parade and ceremony at Memorial Park in their honor. Wherever you may be this weekend - at the beach, in the Poconos, or at home, please take a few moments with your family to share a few thoughts of the importance of why this special weekend is on our calendar.  We are blessed because freedom is not free, and there are those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.


This Memorial Day Weekend blog is to highlight some of key events that take place over the next few weeks.  Graduation Week begins on Monday, June 6th with the 3rd Annual Car Graduation Parade.  This has become a favorite for so many Quakertown community members. It begins at  5 PM.  Bring your lawn chairs and family to watch the creativity of our graduating seniors.  Later that evening, at Pennridge HS at 7 PM our seniors attending Upper Bucks County Technical School will be graduating.  Then the week’s main event - Commencement Ceremony (Graduation) for the QCHS Class of 2022 will be at Alumni Field from 7pm-10pm on Wednesday, 8 June.  It is the most exciting day of the year!


Between now and the end of the school year all of our Quakertown schools will be having numerous activities and celebrations, including activities that prepare students for their transitions to the next building. On June 2nd, current 6th graders will go to Strayer for a visit and building orientation.  On June 6th, current 5th graders from all five elementary schools will go for a visit and orientation at the 6th Grade Center. And, on June 13th, the last day of the school year, current 8th graders will travel to the high school for an orientation and get a chance to walk their next year’s high school schedule.  Also, on June 13th, some of our schools will be holding their Field Days.  


Now a little district business.  The School Board will be meeting this Tuesday, May 31st.  Prior to the Board Meeting, there are numerous committee meetings - Policy, Finance, and Facilities.  At the Finance Committee Meeting the Board has two agenda topics - the ‘22-’23 QCSD Budget and seeking direction on a QCHS Varsity Baseball Field. All of the meeting agendas and requisite attachments are up on QCSD BoardDocs.  


The Administration’s recommendation in the ‘22-’23 Final Budget Presentation is for a 2% tax increase.  Significant revenue increases that have positively impacted the budget since the Board’s last Finance Committee Meeting in April include increases in Earned Income Tax, Other Local Taxes and Access funds. There were also expenditure decreases from attritional savings (salaries and PSERS) through retirements and leaves.  Additionally, there is a spreadsheet analysis of possible expenditure reductions that Board members suggested for consideration.  Moving 6th graders to Strayer MS is one of them.  However, it is NOT recommended by the Administration nor do I expect the Board will entertain this.  The Administration is also requesting guidance from the Finance Committee and the Board on next steps for the construction of QCHS Varsity Baseball Field.  


During the May 31st Board Meeting, the Administration will be presenting the draft Superintendent/District Goals for next academic year 2022-23. The Superintendent’s Goals guide the Administration and our schools in their priorities for the school year.  The Superintendent’s Goals flow from the three-year Comprehensive (Strategic) Plan that was approved by the Board this time last year, and from this year’s Superintendent’s Goals.   


The School Board, Assistant Superintendents, and I met in a retreat this past Tuesday evening to discuss this upcoming year’s Superintendent Goals.  Next year’s Superintendent’s Goals pick up where we are in relation to the district’s three-year Comprehensive Plan, with a few additions including a review of our SRO program and development of  a plan for micro-credentialing many of our students before graduation.  With the over enrollment and higher demand at Upper Bucks County Technical School, we will be developing plans for opening up our own career-focused programs for high school students.  The initial report of ‘21-’22 Superintendent’s Goals completion is available on BoardDocs and provided for review.


Thank you for reading.  Please share with the Board and me your thoughts and feedback.  Stay safe.


Bill Harner

Superintendent


@BillHarner

[email protected]


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