From the Inquirer this morning.
Our PA state legislators: Contact Senator Chuck McIlhinney (R-PA 10th) and Representative John T. Galloway (D-PA 140th)
GOP seeks to cut school funding
A Senate Republican bill would cut $400 million from Gov. Rendell’s budget.
By MARC LEVY
HARRISBURG — Public school funding is emerging as a friction point as state budget negotiators work to find common ground on an approximately $28 billion budget in the last two weeks of the fiscal year.
A Senate Republican budget bill that is primed for floor debate today would slash the $28.3 billion spending plan proposed by Gov. Ed Rendell by about $400 million. Of that, about $120 million would get cut from Rendell’s suggested basic education subsidy — state money that pays for instruction and operations in public schools.
Rendell called the proposed cut “hugely bad policy.”
“I asked around this morning, but the last time ... the basic education subsidy suggested by the governor was cut by the Legislature, no one could remember,” Rendell told reporters Tuesday.
The bill emerged from the GOP-controlled Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday on a party-line vote. A Senate Republican spokesman, Erik Arneson, characterized the bill as a step in the process of ongoing budget negotiations.
The sides have clashed over how much the state should increase spending. Rendell has advocated a 4.2 percent increase that includes $291 million more for basic education, a boost of 6 percent.
The Senate GOP bill puts forward a 2.8 percent overall spending increase. It would increase basic education spending by about $170 million, or 3.5 percent.
In the past, lawmakers have been averse to cutting a governor’s proposed education budget because school districts immediately plug their expected share of the money into their budgets. Should the Legislature trim down the governor’s proposed amount, lawmakers could face blame for local property tax increases that might result.
Rendell said he would he would rather use some of the state’s approximately $750 million budget reserve to fill in any cuts to his school funding proposal.
Arneson, however, said Senate Republicans, who control the chamber, would not discuss using the budget reserve until Rendell releases a fresh revenue projection for the 2008-09 fiscal year.
Without that projection, legislative negotiators do not know how much the state can spend. Rendell said his budget office is still watching the state’s daily revenue collections before it settles on a figure.
The 2008-09 fiscal year begins July 1. Rendell, who met legislative leaders in closed-door budget talks Tuesday, described the negotiations as making slow progress on various fronts.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
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5 comments:
Who said our legislators were lethargic? Thanks, Grand Old Party of .....Steve & Brenda Worob, Jane Burger, Al Radosti, Bill Hellmann CPA, & Gloria Heater, .....!
Oh, that's right, it's not really a cut. It's a reduction in the requested increase. Just like Morrisville's Special Ed. budget for next year. I was worried for a moment that what the state doesn't fund ends up being funded mostly by local property taxes.
News from Neshaminy in today's BCCT. Anybody who says there's no Paradise at Neshaminy doesn't know what they're talking about.....
Budget approved with $170 average tax hike
By RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
It's a first in years.
But even though the Neshaminy School District will be spending less next year, the average taxpayer will still be paying a bit more.
The Neshaminy school board Monday night approved 6-2 the approximately $163 million spending plan for the 2008-09 school year. Board President Richard Eccles was not present for the vote, and Ritchie Webb and Frank Koziol voted no.
The final budget figure is less than the current year's $164.4 million allocation, administrators said.
With revenues projected at roughly $154.4 million, an $8.6 million deficit would remain. Officials recommended using about $3.6 million of the district's fund balance, or savings account — almost half of what has been allocated in recent years.
What helped Neshaminy cut costs were more than 50 retirees leaving at the end of this month, and another 20 departing in January. The district will also save $4 million by closing Neshaminy Middle School a year earlier than planned, according to business administrator Joseph Paradise.
“This is a significant and important accomplishment in keeping our operating costs low so that we may maintain the integrity of our educational programs,” Paradise said.
Although officials will be working with a lower spending plan, administrators said they still need to raise taxes because of declining revenues caused by the mortgage crisis and increases in the cost of energy.
In Neshaminy, 1 mill equals $774,779. The current millage rate is 142.3. So another 6.3 mills would be needed, or a 4.4 percent increase as limited by state Act 1 and the board's goal. On a home with an average assessment at $27,080 with a $3,853 tax bill, that would mean a $170 increase, or a total of $4,023, officials said.
While Superintendent Paul Kadri commended the administration's efforts and referred to the figures as a cause for celebration, Webb had some concerns.
“I've had no time to review the list of [expense] cuts,” said Webb. “I can't vote on what I haven't studied.”
Webb pointed out that the Tawanka Learning Center will remain open to serve about 50 students in a building that could hold more than 500. He added that more dollars should be contributed to the capital fund in order to save money to repair schools.
Board member William Spitz, though, congratulated administrators for meeting the board's goal. Board member William O'Connor also said that officials aren't leaving the capital fund “bone dry,” since monies can be allocated elsewhere to take care of buildings.
However, Paradise reminded the board members that their job isn't finished. In the near future, officials will still need to address under utilization in the elementary schools, which could mean more closures, or reorganizing the grade levels, he said.
Administrators also said that they should work on reducing energy consumption, and decreasing the growth of salaries, benefits and retirement incentives while maintaining a plan for renovations.
What is a mill?
One mill is equal to $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. To calculate your tax, multiply the millage figure by your assessed property value. Don't forget to add three decimal places to the millage figure to get the accurate tax. For example, a 6.3 mill increase on a home assessed at $27,080 amounts to roughly $170 more in taxes.
From yesterday's BCCT. So what's the big deal - other districts are closing schools too? They're not doing away with Grades 9-12 like we're complemplating? Oh, that is a bit different. Sorry.
Refreshing comments too. Nice to know people and school boards everywhere are as screwed up as we are here. Hey everyone, keep your hands out of my pockets too for your Social Security, disability checks, prescription drugs, Medicare, welfare, armies and wars, roads, water & sewer treatment, homeland security, disaster relief, environmental protection, and other stuff!
Neshaminy Middle to close
By RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
One's safe for now. The other goes.
While Tawanka Learning Center was granted one more year in its current home, Neshaminy Middle School students have had their last days in their Middletown building.
The Neshaminy school board approved 8-0 Monday night closing Neshaminy Middle School this year. Officials had planned on closing the school next year when the ninth grade level moves up to the newly renovated high school.
However, since board President Richard Eccles was not present for the meeting, the board was split 4-4 on whether or not to close Tawanka.
Board members Frank Koziol, Irene Boyle, Kim Koutsouradis, and Ritchie Webb voted for closure of the program, and William O'Connor, Susan Cummings, William Spitz and Joseph Blasch were against it.
So, for now, by default, administrators said the district's alternative program isn't going anywhere, an announcement that stirred applause from the audience filled with teachers, parents and students.
While most the people in the crowd did not speak on the topic, they previously asked that if Tawanka moved, it remain separated, especially from the high school, since many of the students cannot thrive in a traditional setting.
The administration previously recommended the Eisenhower building. But the facilities department would need to be moved from that space and it would need to be renovated for students, officials said.
Board member Frank Koziol, though, said he believes there's space at the high school for the program. Board member Irene Boyle said she thinks Tawanka is too expensive for Neshaminy to handle.
But Superintendent Paul Kadri recommended that a committee make a recommendation on where to relocate Tawanka. Also, Kadri added, in another year the facility could be entirely rented out.
“For this year, it makes no sense to move [Tawanka] to an undisclosed location,” said board member William Spitz.
Meanwhile, officials had already been preparing for Neshaminy Middle School to close by planning a final day bash Wednesday, organizing a redistricting plan that would send most students to Maple Point, transitioning staff members, having counselors reach out to students most affected and planning orientation for the shift. It's not yet clear what will be done with the soon-to-be-empty building.
Parents, teachers and students from the blue ribbon school previously pleaded with the board not to close the school, which is known nationally for its health initiatives. They also expressed concern for overcrowding at Maple Point, adjusting to the merge and kids being included in activities at their new school.
“This was a very difficult decision,” Spitz said, who added he was grateful for people's cooperation. “It's just impossible to sustain that facility financially.”
Kadri also referred to Neshaminy Middle as an outstanding school.
Rachel Canelli can be reached at 215-949-4191 or rcanelli@phillyBurbs.com.
June 17, 2008 6:53 AM
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Comments To This Article:
- Where was Eccles?
(06/17/2008 )
Why on one of the most important decision meetings, would the President elect of the Neshaminy School Board, not be present? Maybe the job is just too much for him! So as we keep that in mind, one can only say, it's been a nice run and all good things must come to an end!
Nina - Response to "Where was Eccles?"
(06/17/2008 )
Richard Eccles is a dedicated school board member and I'm sure if he could have been there, he would have, so let's not start casting stones.....
- OKAY TAXPAYERS AND VOTERS, REMEMBER
(06/17/2008 )
these four stooges, who decided to waste taxpayers money by keeping Tawanka open. William O'Connor, Susan Cummings, William Spitz and Joseph Blasch
- Good job by the board to close Neshaminy Middle
(06/17/2008 )
Now lets complete the process of saving taxpayer money by cutting the staff that served this school. Let's not simply pad the staff of other builders to keep employees who are no longer needed on the payroll.
Gabriel - Who's the Stooge?
(06/17/2008 )
Typical, short-sighted reaction from someone who obviously can't examine all the facts. Do you realize that we will spend more money to relocate the Tawanka program when it's not necessary? The superintendent reported that there is someone interested in renting the entire Tawanka facility in 2009/2010. With that in mind, you can keep the Tawanka program where it is for one more year instead of spending hundreds of thousands on a 1 year relo. Eventually the program will end up in Eisenhower but that can't be renovated in time for 2008/2009.
If you consider all the facts, you would realize that keeping the program at Tawanka for one more year actually makes the most economic and educational sense. Of course, you're probably one of those people who still thinks the high school renovation was a better choice than building new.
- Lets see, the four who voted to close it, have always
(06/17/2008 )
had the taxpayers interest at heart. The other four, vote which ever way the wind blows, with little concern for the people who are paying the bill That's all I need to know as a taxpayer. You're not one of the stooges, are you?
Gabriel - Those 4 are making a decision without
(06/17/2008 )
looking down the road, and so are you. I'm asking you directly - why would you spend more money on a 1 year relo when it's cheaper to keep the kids at Tawanka for the next school year? I agree the building should be closed, but not next year when it will cost us more money. Why do you want to pay more money next year?
MSOA - tawanka
(06/17/2008 )
if this is true "While most the people in the crowd did not speak on the topic, they previously asked that if Tawanka moved, it remain separated, especially from the high school, since many of the students cannot thrive in a traditional setting."
where are these kids going to work if they "cant thrive in a traditional setting" tell me, where are all the untraditional JOB settings?
Mom - Maple Point Parent
(06/17/2008 )
I am deeply concerned about the educational experience my 7th grader will have at Maple Point next year due to the one year of overcrowded conditions. Any chance I get I'm going to vote against any School Board members that supported this short-sighted decision.
- 8-0
(06/17/2008 )
It was ALL of them that decided to close NMS.
John - Maple Point Mom.--Good Point
(06/17/2008 )
Maple Point Mom, Unfortunately the school board and most people who post on these boards do not have our childrens educational concerns at heart. All they care about is $$$. The majority of the posters on here are seniors who dont want to pay taxes towards our children's education. But wait until someone brings up the topic of cutting social security tax...then you will really hear them b*tching. The overcrowding next year at Maplepoint and Poquessing is going to be a huge problem. How can we expect teachers to give a quality education to our kids with 35 children in a classroom? It cant be done
Karl - Response to Good job by the board
(06/17/2008 )
You've closed a building, but you have the same number of students.
Dave - Balance is the answer
(06/17/2008 )
1) Eccles has done this before (not show up when there's a controversial vote on the agenda) 2) I strongly support educational excellence. But there needs to be a BALANCE when the public foots the bill. If Neshaminy Middle were to stay open next year, the 4 middle schools together would be operating at about 50 percent capacity -- that is financially irresponsible, plain and simple. 3) Seems to me like O'Connor, Spitz, Cummings and Blasch looked at each situation on its own merits, balancing educational issues with financial ones; it made educational and financial sense to close NMS, but not Tawanka. Meanwhile Webb, Koziol, Boyle and Koutsouradis couldn't give a hoot about the educational part and looked ONLY at the financial impacts.
dave - pay for your own kids
(06/17/2008 )
Privatize the school system and leave the taxpayer alone.
courierreader - privatize the school system?
(06/18/2008 )
Hmm...how about lets also privatize the police department, fire department and get away with social security.
It's called taking care of the common good of our community. We *all* benefit when our children are properly educated.
- Good point Dave, get your hands out of my pocket.
(06/18/2008 )
If you want the very best for your child, send them to a private school, where you will have more control. If it where up to me, public schools would concentrate on teaching required educational courses only. Forget all the extra curricula stuff, no football, no other sports, etc. Or if they are a must, let the participants pay for them on their on. Again, if all the parents are so concerned about over crowding, there are plenty of fine private schools in the area.
Did anyone else notice they have someone interested in renting for 2009/2010? Wonder who that might be?
Calculate the gas prices for a few busloads of kids getting from Morrisville Borough to Tawanka. Hold on, I'll see if I can do that.
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