Higher Costs vs. New Savings at June 4 Work Session

I'm writing these posts to better understand what's happening in Middletown. Today, I'm diving into the June 4th Rose Tree Media School District work session meeting.

If you find this email useful, please share it with someone. Have a suggestion or info for me? Just reply directly to this email.

K-1 Center Inflation Adjustment

RTMSD will add an extra financial cushion to the K-1 Center estimate in case there are delays. A project representative told the board that it's prudent to plan for even higher inflation costs. The total budget for the building is $84 million (plus the cost of road realignment).

Road Realignment to Cost $1.2 Million More

In February, the cost was estimated at $2.5 million, but it's now estimated at $3.7 million. The district will apply for a $3.0 million grant next month to cover most of it.

Recapturing Cyber Charter Tuition

There are 40 total cyber charter students in the district, and their tuition is paid out of the RTMSD budget. Tuition ranges from $15k - $45k per child, and the district spent over $1 million for these 40 children to attend these outside charter schools. The district recently convinced two students (at $45k annual tuition each) to return to the school district, netting an immediate $90,000 in annual savings.

New Elementary Progress Reports Coming

These reports will help families understand their child's growth over time, specific strengths, and continued areas to improve according to grade-level standards. They'll be different from the standard marking period reports.

Summer Construction "Marathon" Begins

• Media Elementary will get an aging skylight replaced.
• Springton Lake will get a new synthetic field and all-weather track.
• Penncrest’s Louis Scott Stadium will get turf replaced.
• Glenwood and Rose Tree Elementary schools will have their HVAC upgraded.

You can find a recording of the meeting here: