The board of the Coatesville Area School District passed the 2008-2009 school budget Tuesday night, a package that includes a 3.11 percent property tax increase and a cost-saving plan to close Coatesville's Gordon Elementary School.

Jennifer Miller wrote in today's paper that the school board voted 7-1 in favor of the $135.8 million budget plan. Diane Brownfield was the only member to oppose the plan. Board member Robert Knecht was absent.

At Tuesday night's City Council meeting, members approved changes to Police Chief William Matthews' contract that allows him an additional year to complete his Act 120 certification.

A majority of councilmembers also voted in favor of renewing City Manager Harry Walker's contract for three more years.

Walker said he looked forward to playing a leadership role in Coatesville's rebirth, but he was not eager to spend another three years refereeing City Council's infighting.

“This has been an interesting trip,” Walker said about his past two years in Coatesville. “I came in here thinking I was going to save Coatesville from gross fiscal mismanagement. I didn’t think I was getting into a gunfight at the OK Corral.”

Councilman Ed Simpson cast "no" votes against amending Matthews' contract and extending Walker's term. Martin Eggleston voted against the Matthews resolution and abstained from voting on Walker's contract.

He later said, for the record, he did not support renewing the city manager's agreement with the city.

Here's the agenda for tonight's City Council meeting. Police Chief William Matthews and City Manager Harry Walker's contracts are expected to be discussed.

But remember what happened two weeks ago.