Group seeks financial help for district

From the BCCT

Group seeks financial help for district
Donations to the education foundation are tax-deductible.
By MANASEE WAGH

It costs more to educate one child in the Morrisville School District than it does in any other district in Lower Bucks County — including Bristol, Council Rock and Neshaminy.

For that reason, Morrisville’s new Opportunity Educational Foundation is finally taking wing to narrow the gap.

The nonprofit group wants businesses and individuals to help the district financially. While potential donors have already expressed serious interest, the organization’s committee needs more interested participants, said Mark Coassolo at the school board’s Wednesday meeting.

“We’re looking for more people to be on the board of trustees. We’re looking for doers and people who are going to bring money,” he said.

In particular, the group is seeking corporate representation, he said.

At least nine people are necessary to form the board of trustees, which will include a board member, likely Marlys Mihok, a member of the teachers union, the business manager and district Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson.

Funding from the foundation would allow students to participate in more educational opportunities by fostering business partnerships with companies. Mini-grants and other donations would pay for field trips, classroom tools, scholastic projects, or other learning experiences without dipping into tax money.

Pennsbury, Centennial, Neshaminy, Bristol, Bristol Township, Council Rock and Bensalem all benefit from fundraising foundations that bring in many thousands of dollars for educational projects that might otherwise be too expensive.

The average cost of educating a high school student in Morrisville is $14,214, as compared to $10,866 in Bristol, another small district, and $11,711 in the larger district of Bristol Township. Elementary costs are higher, too.

The numbers reflect the fact that Morrisville has about 1,000 students and a little more than 70 teachers, as well as support staff including gifted/instructional support aides and guidance counselors. The average teacher salary last year was $69,000. Teacher contracts are locked in until 2012.

In general, the smaller the district, the higher the cost per pupil because class sizes tend to be smaller, said William Ferrara, the high school principal.

“We’re a small district and we’re not the wealthiest district, so it can only help. Everybody wins, because donations are tax-deductible,” said Coassolo.

If you are interested in joining the future board of trustees, helping financially or would like more information, please contact Mark Coassolo at 215-428-9657 or at markdc32@verizon.net.

Alternatively, call the district business office at 215-736-5933.