Intermediate Unit's Lawsuit Supported

By Yvette Ousley, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: July 21, 1988

Great Valley school board members have voted to support the Chester County Intermediate Unit in its lawsuit filed against the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

"I strongly recommend that the board approve support of the intermediate unit's lawsuit," Superintendent William Fitzpatrick told board members at Tuesday evening's board meeting. "The IU operates classes for our students. This will have a direct impact on our district in the future if funding matters continue as they have since 1972."

The Chester County Intermediate Unit is suing the state education department for full funding in the amount of $14.7 million for its special education plan for the coming school year. The state appropriation for the county's intermediate unit falls $1 million short of the amount needed to implement the programs.

The suit is being filed on the basis that the state has approved the intermediate unit's educational plans for the year; therefore, the state is obligated to fully fund the programming outlined in the plan. In addition, the suit contends that the method by which the state funds its 29 intermediate units is inequitable.

"The state's method of distributing funds is in no way related to growth or the actual costs of educating a student," board member Patricia Lang said. ''Something has to be done to make distribution of funds more fair."

Support of the lawsuit will not cost the district any money because the lawsuit is being paid for with funds in the intermediate unit budget, according to Fitzpatrick.

If the Chester County Intermediate Unit wins the suit, it could mean as much as $2.6 million more state revenue in 1988-89, according to school officials.

School board members approved the appointment of David C. Goodrich of Chester Springs as the new supervisor of buildings and grounds for the district.

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