York City School District exits financial recovery program
YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) – The New Year will mark a fresh start for the York City School District after more than a decade of serious struggles. The district is no longer under the state’s financial recovery program.
“The City of York School District is no longer a district on the mend. It’s a recovered district,” said Eric Hagarty, Pennsylvania Acting Secretary of Education.
Pennsylvania Acting Secretary of Education Eric Hagarty made the announcement along with school officials today. The district has successfully met all of its benchmarks.
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“The not in recovery label shows that we are making progress towards our goal of being the first school district,” said Andrea Berry, Superintendent of the York City School District.
As early as 2012, the Commonwealth included the district in a “financial recovery program” under legislation to help struggling districts get back on their feet financially.
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Acting Secretary of Education Eric Hagarty announced that the City of York School District (SDCY) has successfully exited financial recovery status. The district’s removal from Financial Recovery will be effective December 29, 2022. “For the past eight years, the Wolf Administration has been committed to providing schools with the means and resources they need to provide quality education to learners across the Commonwealth, and we are proud to see that commitment being lived out today bearing fruit in York City,” said Acting Secretary Hagarty. “Our partnerships with schools and communities ensure school districts have access to the technical support they need to improve – but make no mistake, this accomplishment was made by SDCY’s dedicated district staff and leadership, and we congratulate them on it this enormous achievement.” -
Chief Recovery Officer Dr. Michael Thew, along with Acting Secretary for Education Eric Hagarty, announced that the City of York School District (SDCY) has successfully exited financial recovery status. The district’s removal from Financial Recovery is effective December 29, 2022. “This is a momentous occasion for the City of York School District,” said Chief Recovery Officer Dr. Michael Thew. “Exiting Recovery is the result of all the hard work and concerted efforts of the administration, board of directors, all professional and support staff, advisory committee members, community partners, and students and families. All recovery work has been continuously assisted by the PA Department of Education staff and consultants for guidance and technical assistance throughout this process.” -
SDCY Superintendent Dr. Andrea Berry, along with Acting Secretary for Education Eric Hagarty, announced that the City of York School District (SDCY) has successfully exited financial recovery status. The district’s suspension from Financial Recovery is effective December 29, 2022. “Exiting Recovery is a dream come true. It is not only a testament to the hard work of our learning community, but also a continuation of the district’s strong commitment,” said SDCY Superintendent Dr. Andrea Berry. “Those obligations include maintaining fiscal health and maintaining incremental academic achievement. The synergistic efforts of the board, administration, faculty, staff, community partners and the wonderful families and students we serve have been paramount to this achievement. We will continue to work tirelessly to demonstrate continuous improvement and provide our students with the world-class education they deserve. We are grateful for the litany of support from PDE, PaTTan, and our many partners in this work. Our district remains focused on the roadblocks ahead and will leverage our resources and support system to take it to the next level of success.” -
School Board President Michael Breeland, along with Acting Secretary for Education Eric Hagarty, announced that the City of York School District (SDCY) has successfully exited financial recovery status. The district’s removal from financial recovery is effective December 29, 2022. -
Acting Secretary of Education Eric Hagarty, CRO Dr. Michael Thew and Superintendent Dr. Andrea Berry sign papers leaving Financial Recovery Status for the City of York School District (SDCY). -
Acting Secretary of Education Eric Hagarty, CRO Dr. Michael Thew and Superintendent Dr. Andrea Berry join the school board members showing the papers exiting Financial Recovery Status for the City of York School District (SDCY).
“The law allows up to nine. To date, no district has entered recovery and turned the ship around and bailed out,” Hagarty said.
Superintendent Andrea Berry says it’s been a long road, with tough decisions along the way.
“In my first year here we ended up cutting about 20 jobs and that was tough. I wasn’t very popular,” said Superintendent Berry.
However, Berry says she has always put students first.
“Are our curricula aligned? Do we have a curriculum that challenges the gifted as well as the struggling?” added Beere.
The Wolf Administration has invested nearly $4 billion in public education and its visible results.
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“I think that shows that with the right local leadership and the right funding from the state, magical things can happen,” Hagarty added.
https://www.abc27.com/community/york-city-school-district-exits-financial-recovery-program/ York City School District exits financial recovery program