I’m writing as a member of the Pennsbury School Board to underscore how important we feel it is for accurate information to be shared with the community. We use a variety of communication channels, including our district and school Web sites, newsletters, cable television and local radio, among other means. A practice we began implementing earlier this year is to post full audio recordings of our school board meetings on our Web site immediately after they occur. We hope the community will continue to take advantage of these effective means of communication.
We also enjoy hearing from residents on a personal basis. Gathering input from community members is vital to our role as representatives.

Despite our best efforts, however, I find it necessary to write to clarify several major issues concerning the board:

1) The Budget Process — Many people are concerned about an alarmingly high tax increase that is announced when our budget process gets underway each year. I would like to clarify how the Act I legislation and the Pennsylvania School Code mandate how the budget must take shape over a period of five months. This year, Act I required the board to adopt a preliminary budget in February that included estimated revenues and expenditures. At this point, federal and state funding is unknown and expenditure estimates are very preliminary. The board is required to use these hypothetical numbers to project a potential tax increase, knowing that this will not be final. By the time the mandated proposed budget is presented in May, there is greater clarity in revenue sources and expenditures have been trimmed. With respect to expenditures, the community should know that the school district does not have the same latitude as private industry in reducing staff and programs; state law places significant constraints on this. Nonetheless, the board has successfully kept any tax increase under the rate of inflation for the past several years and is committed to do so again this year.

2) The Act I Index — A cap, called the Act I Index, is set annually by the Pennsylvania Department of Education on the percentage increase of the current tax rate that is allowed for the next year. This year’s Act I Index is 4.1 percent. The board has the option to apply for exceptions to this cap and must vote to do so. This year’s board voted not to apply for exceptions. Thus, the board cannot increase taxes this year above the inflation rate, and in fact, has committed to the community to produce a budget with as little a tax increase as possible, if any. The board understands the impact of a tax change in any economic environment, especially the harsh current one. The board members are taxpayers too.

3) The Teachers’ Contract — Within the current economic climate, I am confident that the negotiated settlement between the school district and the teachers’ Pennsbury Education Association (PEA) for a one-year contract extension represents a fair compromise that best serves the students, the teachers and the community. While the implementation of this agreement will require a $1.1 million budget expenditure, the community should know that, under this agreement, more than half of the PEA members will receive no increase in salary, and the remainder will receive, on average, a record low 1.5 percent increase.

The Pennsbury School Board and the administration represent the best resources for accurate information about the business, policies and procedures of the school district. We have an open door policy and seek input from residents at all times. Every School Board Director is available by phone and e-mail to answer residents’ questions and take their comments and suggestions. Contact information is always available on the district Web site, www.pennsbury.k12.pa.us, or by calling the administration at 215-428-4100.

Linda Palsky
Pennsbury School Board Director - Region 3

Labels: Pennsbury School Board