Scranton School District may leave financial recovery next week
Jan. 5—SCRANTON — The Scranton School District could leave financial recovery next week, an unprecedented and unexpected early exit from the state program.
School directors voted 8-1 Wednesday night to amend the recovery plan, altering goals dealing with academics, facilities and finances. The amendments provide a clearer path for additional progress, and a path to exit recovery now. Upon exit, the district will enter a five-year monitoring phase.
The district entered recovery four years ago when its financial condition became dire and officials borrowed money to make payroll. Since adopting the recovery plan 3 1/2 years ago, the district established a fund balance, updated curriculum and began renovating buildings.
Chief Recovery Officer Candis Finan, Ed.D., who worked with the state over the holiday break developing an exit plan, praised the district for its progress. She alerted the Pennsylvania Department of Education of the amended plan after the meeting and hopes to learn of an official exit date early next week, before a new state administration takes over Jan. 17. She called the possible exit a "stunning achievement."
The recovery plan will still be in effect throughout the monitoring phrase, but district leaders will regain more control. The chief recovery officer will still offer oversight but will not be as involved on a daily basis.
Finan, appointed by the state to oversee the district nearly four years ago, said she will stay on for "a little while" to help the district begin to navigate the next phase. The former Delaware Valley superintendent became emotional when reflecting on her time in Scranton.
"My time here has been a privilege and an honor," she told the board. "I have never worked with better people. I believe in your community, and I believe better days are ahead."
The few people in the audience at Scranton High School applauded after the vote.
"This came really fast. I was as shocked as all of you," Superintendent Melissa McTiernan said. "This is a huge accomplishment, and I never thought we'd be here as soon as we were."
After 10 years in recovery, the School District of the City of York exited financial recovery last week, the first district in the state to do so. As of Wednesday, six districts remained in recovery: Chester-Upland, Duquesne City, Harrisburg City, Penn Hills, Scranton and Sto-Rox. Scranton planned to be in recovery for at least five years.
Scranton's amended plan calls for:
* Creating a comprehensive facilities plan by June 30, instead of possibly closing an elementary school this year. A plan may or may not include school closures in the future.
* Moving from academic goals based on standardized testing to goals based on opportunities, curriculum and school climate. Finan said that post-pandemic it became clear the district would not meet the achievement goals she originally set, and instead wants the district to focus on what students need to succeed.
* Updating financial projections that show to balance the budget in 2028, the district would need to raise the real estate tax rate by 4.18% a year beginning in 2024. Finan said the increases are not a mandate and many factors could impact the district's budget in coming years.
Unless amended, all other aspects of the plan approved in 2019 remain in effect. Board Vice President Sean McAndrew was the lone director voting against the amendments, citing concerns about possible tax increases in the future.
Leaders said they are eager to have more regular discussions about academics, from improving attendance rates to looking at outside funding to possibly bring some kind of preschool program back to the district.
"Hopefully we are strong enough to step out of recovery," board President Ro Hume said. "It's our chance to move forward to excellence and get back to our core business... giving every one of our kids the chance to excel... I'm so excited to move forward on this journey."
Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter.
