New Hope-Solebury students begin classes Sept. 1

By: Linda Seida – Staff Writer
NEW HOPE – Teachers in the New Hope-Solebury School District will go back to school without a new contract when 1,600 students in kindergarten through grade 12 return to classrooms Wednesday (Sept. 1).
The teachers’ contract expired June 30, and negotiations are continuing.
Under the $32.65 million budget approved in June for the 2010-11 school year, no staff positions will be eliminated.
Dr. Raymond J. Boccuti, the district’s superintendent, said, "We are very proud in the New Hope-Solebury School District that we worked very hard to achieve our 2010-11 budget at the Act 1 index of 2.9 percent, while maintaining our school district fund balance at the maximum amount set by the state, and without eliminating any staff. This work provided a good base to work through the next two years, which are projected to be even more challenging in light of the economy, the decreasing Act 1 index, and the oncoming retirement system challenges."
Act 1, Pennsylvania’s property tax reform law, sets an index each year. The index is the maximum the state allows taxes to be raised without seeking voter approval. This year, the index is 2.9 percent.
The district this year is continuing to develop its own autistic support program, Dr. Boccuti said, as well as moving ahead with its campus master plan. "After a year’s effort working with an architect and our Facilities Committee, the school board approved a campus master plan for facilities and grounds to meet current and future needs," he said. "The board has now directed the plan to the Finance Committee for further consideration."
The district last year took over autistic support classes that were previously operated by the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. At New Hope-Solebury, the classes are called the Elementary Learning Centers, or ELC. One class operates at the lower elementary school, and another at the upper elementary school.
Also this year, the district will embark on a mid-point review of its strategic plan.
The school district runs four buildings: A high school for students in grades nine through 12; a middle school for students in grades six to eight; an upper elementary school for students in grades three to five; and a lower elementary school for students in kindergarten through grade two.
Students will begin full days on Sept. 2.