The Greenland School District, located near Fayetteville, Arkansas, was first placed on the state's fiscal distress list in 2003. In 2004, the state annexed the Winslow School District into Greenland because of financial problems and declining enrollment.
The Greenland-Winslow merger has been described as a "not very happy marriage." The Winslow residents complain consistently that the Greenland residents do not listen to them or take their ideas into consideration. "Winslow residents were 'treated like aliens from outer space' the last time they attempted to address the school board on an issue."
Fast forwarding through the painful details, Greenland made the hard choices necessary to get off of the financial distress list, and this happened in 2006.
But finances being finances, the progress made has slipped. Not all of the financial woes were self inflicted. Arkansas state law mandates millage rollbacks under certain conditions, and Greenland fell into that category. Now Greenland needs more money. So they went to the taxpayers.
District's Future in Voter's Hands
Monday, Jun 9, 2008 @08:33pm CST
The Greenland School District is asking voters for a mill increase. Administrators say it would help keep the district off the state's fiscal distress list. The district's asking voters to approve a 2.6 mill increase. To put it into perspective, that would mean the owner of a $100,000 home would pay an extra $52 a year-- or a dollar a week. The school district is suffering from millage rollbacks made by the state. It's state law to roll back millage rates if the value of homes in the district increases by more than ten percent. In Greenland, the state's rolled back exactly 2.6 mills. "The people in this district have at one time or another approved those 2.6 mills but they've been taken away on roll backs and all we're doing is asking them to put it back where it was by vote," says Greenland Superintendent Ron Brawner. The district's already cut costs by almost $500,000 from last year, but it's not enough. If the millage hike fails, Greenland may end up consolidating with a neighboring school district. "What folks have to realize, is if this doesn't pass and we get under even more scrutiny from the state, they may end up paying Fayetteville taxes, which are quite a bit higher," says Bill Groom, President of the Greenland Board of Education. The mill increase would put Greenland at a total of 39.5 mills. That's still lower than most districts, but it might be enough to save Greenland from consolidation. "We're not afraid to ask for it if we need it, and believe me, if we didn't absolutely have to have it we wouldn't be asking for it right now," Groom says. "It's just important for people that want to keep our school here and want to support our school to get out and vote on this thing," Brawner says. Plans to restructure some bonds are also wrapped up in this millage vote. The bonds would generate around $1 million for building improvements. If approved, the mill increase would take effect in 2010.
Even the superintendent got involved:
May 12, 2008
Greenland Schools have been placed in the Fiscal Distress category. This does not affect curriculum at this time. It does mean that all unnecessary expenses be eliminated. We are in the process of attaining this goal. Some of the cuts are not what we would like, but must be done. At this time, Greenland Schools need your support. Regardless of your convictions, we need you to vote on June 10, 2008. Remember your vote affects the present student population of Greenland Schools. The millage we are asking be passed is not a new millage. We are simply asking that you renew the millage of seven years ago that has been rolled back by Amendmant 59. We have lost revenue due to these roll backs. With the increases in costs (fuel for buses being primary), Greenland Schools needs this revenue.
Should the requested millage fail, there are unfavorable repercussions. One of these could be consolidation with another district. If this occurs, your taxes would increase by a similar amount or greater amount depending on the district Greenland would have to be consolidated. Some of our students have already experienced one consolidation. Do you really want to subject them to a second consolidation. Another consequence could be that all local control would cease. This would take the form of School Board suspension and a person being assigned by ADE as Superintendent with total control. These are what your vote decides. Go Vote, June 10, 2008.
It was up to the annexed Winslow voters:
Winslow residents were encouraged Thursday to think beyond hurt feelings when voting in the June 10 millage election.
Greenland School District officials hope their patrons to the south won't be swayed by the former Winslow School District's annexation into the Greenland district and its subsequent school closings.
"There are a lot of bad feelings about this thing. We have to move forward. We have to focus on the kids, " said Bill Groom, Greenland Board of Education president.
The millage increase passed. Barely.
GREENLAND June 10, 2008 10:30 PM CDT - Taxpayers in the Greenland School District will be paying higher taxes after approving a millage increase that won by a margin of only eight votes.
The unofficial returns show the millage increased was approved by a vote of 394 for the issue (51 percent) to 386 votes against (49 percent).
"I hope it holds up," said Greenland School Board President Bill Groom after learning of the results Tuesday night. "It's too close to make any plans yet."
In a breakdown of the votes, totals show the issue passed in Greenland by 346 votes for (64 percent) to 193 votes against (36 percent). However, voters in the former Winslow School District, which is now part of Greenland, overwhelmingly turned down the proposal with 32 votes for the issue (15 percent) to 178 votes against (85 percent).
All is well. The tax increase was passed, and Greenland can continue along on the path to recovery. Then, just four days after that tax increase was passed...
Greenland School District faces forced annexation
Officials notified Friday of pending annexation vote
The Greenland School District may be annexed into a neighboring school district because of financial woes.
Greenland School Board President Bill Groom and Superintendent Ron Brawner were notified Friday afternoon the Arkansas Department of Education staff will recommend the annexation into a contiguous district to the State Board of Education on July 14.
The receiving district was not identified in the letter to Groom and Brawner. If the state education board approves an annexation, it was unknown Friday when it would take effect.
Greenland is contiguous with the Fayetteville, West Fork, Prairie Grove, Farmington, Elkins and Mountainburg school districts.
Groom said he received a telephone call from Tripp Walter, an attorney with the state education department, notifying him of a letter that was faxed to the Greenland administration office. The letter was signed by State Education Commissioner Ken James.
James talked with Fayetteville Superintendent Bobby New about the possibility of annexing Greenland into the Fayetteville School District during a telephone call Friday afternoon, New said.
Such an annexation would mean Greenland would be absorbed into the receiving district. The receiving district would have to bring Greenland teachers to that district's salary schedule and Greenland's debt would be taken over by the receiving district.
Salaries, which account for about 80 percent of Fayetteville's budget, could be a critical issue. Fayetteville is among the highest paying districts in Northwest Arkansas; Greenland is one of the lowest.
The condition of Greenland's buildings and buses, bus routes, the cost of fuel and other financial considerations also need to be examined, New said.
The school district that was forced into accepting another school district, will now itself be forced onto another school district.
Perhaps the one reader comment said it best: "Now the school will die along with our pirate pride and tradition."
Just to put it into perspective, the Winslow students could face a 25 mile bus ride to Fayetteville.
Buckle up, Morrisville! This is the roller coaster ride the Emperor wants you to experience.
- Shotgun wedding to another district
- Being ignored by the other district in policymaking
- Paying the higher taxes anyway
- Facing mandated budget cuts, no matter the cost to the students
- Facing complete loss of local control by state takeover.
17 comments:
I propose the following corollary to Georges Santayana's famous statement:
"those who do not study history are dumb to repeat it".
Think it through, gentlemen and ladies of the Morrisville School Board! Or admit you're in over your heads and get out. Or "Steel Your Resolve" and forge ahead slathered in your own self-righteousness. Your choice - you have the power.
Ahhh, ok. Let's try to compare the Morrisville School District with Greenland Arkansas. If the Greenland district imposed a dreaded 2.6 tax mill increase that equated to 52 dollars per year, then wouldn't it mean that the new tax rate of 39.5 mills is equivalent to a total tax bill of $790.00? That means that their total tax bill of $790.00 is $400.00 less than my tax increase over the last two years. I don't think we can do an apples to apples tax comparison so how about comparing test scores? How about it you blogheads, do any of you know the state test scores of the Greenland Arkansas School District?
As usual, Steve, you missed the point. Property values between Bucks County and Arkansas do not compare, and suggesting that they do, is ridiculous.
The point, my somnolent friend, is the multiple years of hell that these districts were put through.
How's the work on your resolution coming? When are you going to step up and help the taxpayers of Morrisville? The meeting's tomorrow night, you know.
Here's a link to Greenland School District's test scores in 2006.
http://www.schoolmatters.com
/schools.aspx/q/page=dl
/did=4460/midx=TestScores
Looks like they're right around the Arkansas state averages. Of course, it's a different test in a different state not known for its educational prowess, but I guess that kind of apples to oranges comparison is OK in some peoples' worlds, as long as it proves (insert whatever the heck it is anonymous Worob is trying to prove here, I guess how much bang for the educational buck a Greenland, AR taxpayer gets), and creates a diversion from the real issue of the chaos and turmoil that can ensue when school boards don't think things through enough.
Let me first say that I prefer dialogue that starts with what is best for children and the future health of our society overall - which is largely dependent on quality education and on the choices we make now for the younger generation. We seem to endlessly fight over the cost of education, a proven investment. Meanwhile our government freely spends, for example, on expensive contractors in Iraq with far less outcry than is heard over school funding. Too much dialogue completely misses that point, including the recent Philadelphia Inquirer article.
Now that I've gotten that off my chest, let me chime in on the economic side. Today's Inquirer article about property taxes shows the correlation between the economic health of the community and the tax burden on citizens to pay for schools. Lower property values and fewer taxpayers (smaller communities and those with few businesses- sound familiar?) add up to a higher tax burden for each household.
One question then,is why would some of the same individuals who complain about our tax burden turn down a project (Gateway) that was a potential catalyst for business growth- bringing jobs and consumers for our restaurants, small stores, etc.? The "open space argument" I'm sure would be the response to this question, but when we look at the location we are talking about a very small piece of land that is essentially a vacant lot. Decent planning would indicate that this is an appropriate space for such businesses as the Gateway project. It would also provide a nice buffer for the park from the bridge traffic. Unfortunately, for some inexplicable reason, borough council members chose to ignore their own economic development committee and any reasonable planning approach, killing a much needed investment in the health of the town. Why? Look at the other end of Bridge Street where rusting cars and tires sink into what may once have been a beautiful wetland, home to native birds and plants. Anyone fighting for open space there?
Until the leadership of Morrisville is willing to make choices that inspire investment and intelligent long term growth in the community, we will all continue to suffer a higher tax burden. Yes, the state should do something, not only for taxpayers but to address the shameful inequity in education in Pennsylvania's schools. But until that happens and even after it does, we are ultimately responsible for the future of our children and the community. Cutting education will not help, and it is wrong and misguided, and it will only serve to exacerbate the problem by keeping property values down.
Why don't you face it mother bear, for what ever the reasons, we simply can not afford to remain an independent school district much longer. The PDE estimates that by the year 2013, we'll have less than 700 students. This will cut our state funding significantly while salaries, benefits and special ed continue to soar. Like it or not, we're becoming similar to the desperate school districts of Delaware County where high taxes equate to low test scores. The best course for Morrisville and many other small districts depends on our lethargic state reps and their ambition to change the status qua. When the "Emperor" said "a major restructuring is necessary," he may not have realized that that would be out of local control. The time has come that the state needs to adopt a consolidation/cost cutting public education system that is governed on a county wide basis with a shift from property taxes. Then the students (All of the students) will receive the best education that we can afford. Finally mother bear, council is not opposed to intelligent economic development. But, rushing to build an unwanted/unaffordable school cost 5 million dollars. Rushing to build an office building would not have been the remedy. Yes the developer is first class and would have built a nice building. But in that particular spot and with all of the eminent and controversial problems to follow, The gateway project was a bad idea. I would be delighted to support those guys in a similar project at a better location.
This link to PDE projects (as of 8/30/07) 749 students in 2012-13 and 735 in 2013-14. That's greater than 700 in my book. Plus, it seems that PDE has consistently underestimated the Morrisville enrollment figures, but why mention that when you can just make up you own numbers in the first place? If you repeat it enough, people will believe it's true. But don't worry, the Good Emperor and his trusty followers are doing all they can to drive enrollment down - or out.
http://www.pde.state.pa.us
/k12statistics/lib
/k12statistics
/0607MorrisvilleBoroughSDR4.pdf
If I didn't think your credibility was so suspect, I'd be more disturbed to hear that Morrisville's best course "...depends on our lethargic state reps and their ambition to change the status qua" (sic) and adopt a consolidation/cost cutting public education system that is governed on a county wide basis with a shift from property taxes. So we've got to count on lethargic yet ambitious state reps to massively overhaul the system? Whew, that's comforting! I guess that's why these immediate drastic measures need to be taken with little or no public input or discussion?
And just what the HE double hockey sticks have you been doing about this situation over the last 10 years or so, besides complaining, smearing people, and writing a manifesto?
Regarding the Gateway Project, talk is cheap, and your (and Council's) track record ain't too good in my opinion. And you and Council as a whole certainly didn't treat the guy like he was a first class developer. Unfortunately, when you say you'd be delighted to support "those guys" on another project, I think you're full of it. You've made too many mountains out of molehills for me to believe you.
I suspect that after ~2 exhausting years Penn Jersey will probably not consider any more development in Morrisville.
I'm not quite sure what better place there could have been for Gateway. The very point was its location -- within walking distance to our downtown area. That is where we need the money to flow and that is what needs to be revitalized. If you were to develop the Gateway building 2 miles down Pennsylvania Ave in the industrial area it wouldn't have the same affect. It was less about the 180 (formerly 400) new jobs and more about those jobs PLUS the added investment that they would bring.
Open space was not a valid argument as that corner of the park is never used. Traffic is a valid concern but could've been easily mitigated by adding turning lanes and traffic lights. Flooding is a valid concern but I find it hard to believe this one building would've made any difference; if anything it would've improved the situation (hey, just like the new school would've done!).
So, for argument's sake, let's say Gateway was NOT the right thing or in the right spot. What does Council consider to be the right thing? What is being done to attract it to our town? And how soon can we expect it? The community wants to know. I'm sure the downtown businesses do as well.
I almost forgot the new fortune teller on Pennsylvania Ave. Is that Council's "right thing"?
There's no basement at the Alamo!
And let's welcome yet another cigarette shop to town. Smoker Palace, conveniently located just across the Trenton Makes bridge next to Beco Kitchens & Baths, right near where the Gateway Project could have been. I noticed that the word "tobacco" is misspelled "tobaco" on their sign. Classy. That store alone will probably bring as many cars across the bridge for ciggies than the Gateway Project would have. Did anyone make a peep about this?
Not only is that corner of the "park" never used, most of it doesn't even belong to the Borough. It's Bridge Commission property. So all this talk about gas lamps, benches, trails, soccer stadiums, and gumdrop trees is a bunch of hoo-ha. But again, please prove me wrong and you can laugh in my face and say I told you so!
"The PDE estimates that by the year 2013, we'll have less than 700 students."
It isn't like we have put out the welcome mat for anyone to WANT to come to Morrisville. Maybe if the attitude was changed abit about the future of our town, others outside, would see just how nice it is to live here.
We CANNOT continue to take 4 steps backwards!
I don't have the figures or research methods at hand, but I wonder if that "less than 700" (or Jon's concrete figures of 749 and 735) take into account the number of school age kids who go to private schools inside or outside the district, and those who are home-schooled.
In any event, the law is clear. We MUST provide a free and appropriate education to every student in the district. Even if trends show a downward decline, we must be prepared to handle an upward trend as well.
The PDE trends, I suspect, are based on a lot of tangibles, but what happens if our education improves and becomes highly desireable? What if most of the privately educated students come back to public education (a trend that we saw in the 90's)? What if families with children choose to move here and buy out the fixed-incomes, empty nesters, and late estates? These intangibles COULD happen with the right foresight and design.
I think the figures alone do all arguments injustice.
Not to mention that when I checked on it, the PDE actually estimates that by the year 2013, we'll have more than than 700 students. But people like anonymous count on the axiom that if it gets repeated enough, myth will become irrefutable fact. Allow me to demonstrate: The PDE pulled a knife on me. The PDE pulled a knife on me. The PDE pulled a knife on me.
OMG! Hey Jon, I just heard that the PDE pulled a knife on you.
That's right. And now I'm working on a tell-all book, "Shivved by the PDE".
Jon...are you ok? I heard your third toe on your left foot was cut off by the PDE!
It's all true. I'm OK though. Luckily that's not the foot I write with.
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