The Reading Hospital and Wyomissing School District Reach Services Agreement

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

The Reading Hospital has agreed to provide $408,500 in annual health-related services to the Wyomissing Area School District to help the district offset its current annual deficit caused by reductions in state funding, reduced local tax revenue and mandated increases in the Public School Employee Retirement System contributions.

This agreement ends challenges made by the district to tax-exempt status for Hospital property within the district, but does not include a pending tax assessment appeal by The Highlands at Wyomissing.

For each of the next four years, the Hospital agrees to provide health-related services including occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, athletic training, psychiatric testing, and flu shots or cash payments to the School District in lieu of those services.

“This agreement benefits both the Wyomissing School District and The Reading Hospital,” said Hospital Board of Directors Chairman C. Thomas Work. “Wyomissing is provided world-class health services and the Hospital becomes a direct partner in a nationally-recognized local school district.”

Julie Vicente, Wyomissing Area School District Superintendent of Schools, added “The Wyomissing Area School District is excited to enter into a collaborative partnership with The Reading Hospital, one of the premier healthcare facilities in the region. This newly formed partnership will positively impact the delivery of services to students, resulting in our children’s improved wellness.  We look forward to embarking on this mutually beneficial relationship.”

This agreement was reached as a means to end disputes between the district and the Hospital related to the tax exempt status of some properties of the Hospital.