Let’s call this one a tale of two school districts.
It pretty much tells you everything you need to know about the inequities involved in how this state funds public education.
School districts all over the region and struggling to control costs.
The operatative word in many districts is cuts.
School boards basically have two options. They can cut costs, which translates into programs, teachers and other staff, or they can raise taxes.
These days they are actually limited by state law to a tax hike that basically matches the state rate of inflation. Anything more than that they have to apply for permission to the state, and might even have to put the measure on the ballot.
We’ve seen recently how well that idea has been received in New Jersey, where a majority of school budgets were rejected by voters.
Of course, school budgets and the ability of residents to pay, can vary widely. Nowhere is that more evident than here in Delaware County.
Out in Radnor, the school board is looking at a budget gap of somewhere in the vicinity of $3 and $4 million. The board is looking at a 2.9 percent tax cap.
But an odd thing happened on the Main Line this week. The board’s meeting was packed with people who actually urged against any further cuts, saying they would rather the board hike taxes than cut more education programs.
Compare that with the situation in William Penn, one of the most distressed districts in the county.
There the school board also is looking at a shortfall of $2.7 million.
Board members are warning residents that more cuts are coming.
They shouldn’t hold their breath waiting for residents to rise up against the cuts, instead asking them to raise taxes.
That’s not likely to happen. The district’s tax base is devastated, and many senior citizens and those on fixed incomes are already taxed to the max.
Board President Charlotte Hummel is the one facing these daunting numbers. I don’t envy her even a little bit.
Board Vice President Jennifer Hoff said they likely will be looking at cutting more programs, which is about the last thing William Penn schools need.
But unlike their colleagues in Radnor, they don’t have much choice.
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