Look for county-wide school board election stories in regional newspapers.
The school district budget and how to fund it is the number one issue named by all candidates running for Octorara Area School Board seats Nov. 3.
All candidates are incumbents except for Democrat John McCartney of Sadsbury Township, Lancaster County, who is running along with incumbent Republican Sam Ganow of West Fallowfield Township in Region 2 for two available seats.
School board President Duane Hershey, a 12-year board veteran, is not running again in Region 2, which includes the municipalities of Sadsbury and West Fallowfield townships.
Hershey, who said he has “really enjoyed” his tenure, said the main issue facing the school board is “what our school district can afford.
“Financially, it’s always been a struggle,” said Hershey.
The rural school district straddling both Lancaster and Chester counties has a limited business tax base and its residents have also endured the shifting of about $150,000 million in revenue annually on to the tax bills of homeowners due to Clean and Green, according to State Rep. Bryan Cutler.
Cutler has introduced House Bill 1788 to shift the burden of lost Clean and Green revenue from homeowners. Cutler said he has been promised a hearing this fall and that a financial impact study should be completed by next fall.
Proponents of Clean and Green say protecting farm land from housing developments means fewer students to educate and pay for.
“They are absolutely correct on that point,” said Cutler. “However, the state is also saving money by not having to pay for these extra students and currently all of the costs are being borne by the local taxpayers.
“I believe that the state should help with some of the costs associated with this since they also save money,” Cutler said.
In Chester County, state Rep. Tom Houghton is chairing the Octorara Regional Council which is focused on bringing more business revenue into the school district. A developer recently toured the district with Houghton and school board members to scope out possibilities for development.
Octorara board candidates, however, will face another budget season before either state representative is able to deliver relief.
McCartney, a retired registered nurse who also works part-time for JB Zimmerman in Christiana, was a founding member of Clasta, the Chesland Anti-School Tax Association in 2007. The group is a member of the PTCC, the Pennsylvania Taxpayers Cyber Coalition, which supports House Bill 1275 and the elimination of school property taxes (to be phased out 25 percent a year for four years). The bill would fund schools with a six percent sales tax, while broadening the sales tax base to include more services and purchases.
“I think everyone has to realize we’re in a difficult situation,” McCartney said, adding that property owners are being squeezed.
McCartney said taxpayers should also expect another 20-30 percent increase in property taxes to return lost invested revenue to the state teachers pension fund.
“We’re going to have to tighten our belts and ride it out,” he said. “Academics should be ultimate.”
Private funding of school sports, an experiment recently carried through by the Octorara Football Club, is a possibility eyed by both McCartney and Ganow. The club privately began a junior varsity and varsity program, which the district accepted into the athletic program this year.
“It depends on who’s doing the funding,” said McCartney.
“I’d like it (private funding of school sports) not to be an issue,” said Ganow, now in his sixth year as a board member. “Every budget is difficult because of limited resources. Sports becomes an issue when you get down to the end. It’s going to become more of an issue because if the budget gets too high it has to go to referendum.”
Ganow said he is unaware of any successful budget referendums and that education has to be “number one, not other things.”
In Region 3, incumbents Robert Hume, who has cross-filed as a Republican and Democrat, and Republican Nelson Stoltzfus, are both running to retain their seats unopposed. Region 3 includes Highland and Londonderry townships, and Parkesburg South.
Hume agreed with other candidates that the tax base is the biggest issue.
“We have a small tax base,” Hume said. “Poverty is an issue in Chester County.”
Stoltzfus did not return a reporter’s call or email.
All seats in Region 1, representing Atglen and Christiana Boroughs, Parkesburg North, and West Sadsbury Township, expire in 2011. However, Peter Mango, a Region 1 board member and retiring municipal police chief, is announcing his resignation Oct. 19. He’s beginning a private security firm.
Since there isn’t time for a candidate to run a campaign, Superintendent Tom Newcome is accepting resumes and letters of interest to fill Mango’s unexpired term until Nov. 2. The school board will then hold a special meeting to interview candidates and select a board member.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Quarryville, Christiana libraries seek support
If you are a patron of Moore’s Memorial Library in Christiana, or the Quarryville Library, the end-of-the-year budget crunch time is afoot, along with swirling leaves. It’s the time to let your municipal officials know your views on how much your municipality should contribute to your library.
Quarryville Borough Council members recently heard from Frances Vita, director of the Quarryville Library at 357 Buck Road, www.quarryvillelibrary.org.
“The library is very well used by this small community,” she said, noting there are 1,531 cardholders in the borough. “We are facing state budget cuts and are managing OK, but it will be more of a struggle next year.”
Vita said the library may face a 34 percent cut in state funding, which would trim $46,250 from the library’s operating budget.
“We’re already on a bare-bones budget as it is,” Vita said, adding that the library staff does not want to have to cut hours and services.
“Circulation is on the rise, and we are seeing a huge amount of use,” Vita said, adding that residents on tough budgets find the library is a great way to save money on books, CDs, movies and computer use.
Vita said that since the library’s tutors teach computer and research skills, it is creating “a more educated community” and supporting local schools.
Libraries are the only source of free and equal access to information,” Vita said.
Vita, and Claudia Roun, director of Moore’s, both have asked municipalities to remember their libraries during budget season.
Information about Moore’s Memorial Library, its capital campaign and building project may be found at www.christianalibrary.org.
Quarryville Borough Council members recently heard from Frances Vita, director of the Quarryville Library at 357 Buck Road, www.quarryvillelibrary.org.
“The library is very well used by this small community,” she said, noting there are 1,531 cardholders in the borough. “We are facing state budget cuts and are managing OK, but it will be more of a struggle next year.”
Vita said the library may face a 34 percent cut in state funding, which would trim $46,250 from the library’s operating budget.
“We’re already on a bare-bones budget as it is,” Vita said, adding that the library staff does not want to have to cut hours and services.
“Circulation is on the rise, and we are seeing a huge amount of use,” Vita said, adding that residents on tough budgets find the library is a great way to save money on books, CDs, movies and computer use.
Vita said that since the library’s tutors teach computer and research skills, it is creating “a more educated community” and supporting local schools.
Libraries are the only source of free and equal access to information,” Vita said.
Vita, and Claudia Roun, director of Moore’s, both have asked municipalities to remember their libraries during budget season.
Information about Moore’s Memorial Library, its capital campaign and building project may be found at www.christianalibrary.org.
Quarryville eyes Fourth Street
According to the Oct. 14 Intelligencer Journal, Quaryville Borough Council has set two special meetings to discuss the borough’s 2010 budget and whether to proceed with redoing Fourth Street.
If a Fourth Street project tops the list of 2010 capital improvements, Fourth Street residents will be required to pay to install sidewalks as the project is done. The special meetings are at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, and Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the borough office, 300 Saint Catherine St.
The 2009 Fifth Street improvement project was controversial among borough residents, many of whom disagreed with council’s pro-sidewalk policy and having to pay for them.
“We need to begin to look at what we want to do and if we will need to do any capital borrowing,” said council President Robert Landis Jr. during an Oct. 5 meeting.
Landis also indicated Fourth Street may need some updated storm water engineering.
In other business, police chief Ken Work said the police department answered many calls in September, including a disorderly conduct, two DUI arrests, and calls for assault, domestic violence and drug complaints. Work said the department participated in county DUI and speed patrols.
In Quarryville, and county-wide, trick-or-treat is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.
If a Fourth Street project tops the list of 2010 capital improvements, Fourth Street residents will be required to pay to install sidewalks as the project is done. The special meetings are at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, and Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the borough office, 300 Saint Catherine St.
The 2009 Fifth Street improvement project was controversial among borough residents, many of whom disagreed with council’s pro-sidewalk policy and having to pay for them.
“We need to begin to look at what we want to do and if we will need to do any capital borrowing,” said council President Robert Landis Jr. during an Oct. 5 meeting.
Landis also indicated Fourth Street may need some updated storm water engineering.
In other business, police chief Ken Work said the police department answered many calls in September, including a disorderly conduct, two DUI arrests, and calls for assault, domestic violence and drug complaints. Work said the department participated in county DUI and speed patrols.
In Quarryville, and county-wide, trick-or-treat is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Sadsbury considers charitable requests
In the last quarter of 2009, municipalities and community service organizations have their eyes on the bottom line.
Reporting that financially they are “surviving,” Christiana Fire Company asked Sadsbury Township supervisors Oct. 6 to consider making a donation to help them purchase a $10,000 brush fire truck to replace the outdated 1969 model.
Supervisors may consider a donation prior to the end of the year. Supervisors are considering the fire company’s request, along with how much to donate to Moore’s Memorial Library in Christiana, which is moving the library into the historic bank on Bridge Street.
Volunteer community members have recently run a capital fundraising campaign, chicken barbecue and spaghetti dinner to boost the library project. The stone bank building is currently being renovated.
Supervisors also continue to consider undertaking their own building project to replace the aging building at Noble and White Oak roads, and are looking into the possibility of finding a grant writer to help with the financing.
In other business supervisors said they would request that the Pennsylvania State Police patrol Noble Road. Resident John Miller said speeding on the road has been a problem, and a danger to school children walking home.
Supervisors also approved: Samuel Stoltzfus’ request to place a roof with snow catchers over his manure pit on White Oak Road; Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau as its tax collector; paying health insurance deductibles for employees; Kim Davis as part-time recording secretary/bookkeeper; and a $150 donation to the Gap Fire Company for installing a weather station atop the township radio tower.
Supervisors also expressed concern that people are not respecting the “No Trespassing” signs along the Enola low-grade line. Supervisor Linda Swift said there were 12 signs along the township’s portion of the trail, and they have all disappeared. Supervisors said residents should not be on the trail because of ongoing bridge work, repairs and liability concerns.
Reporting that financially they are “surviving,” Christiana Fire Company asked Sadsbury Township supervisors Oct. 6 to consider making a donation to help them purchase a $10,000 brush fire truck to replace the outdated 1969 model.
Supervisors may consider a donation prior to the end of the year. Supervisors are considering the fire company’s request, along with how much to donate to Moore’s Memorial Library in Christiana, which is moving the library into the historic bank on Bridge Street.
Volunteer community members have recently run a capital fundraising campaign, chicken barbecue and spaghetti dinner to boost the library project. The stone bank building is currently being renovated.
Supervisors also continue to consider undertaking their own building project to replace the aging building at Noble and White Oak roads, and are looking into the possibility of finding a grant writer to help with the financing.
In other business supervisors said they would request that the Pennsylvania State Police patrol Noble Road. Resident John Miller said speeding on the road has been a problem, and a danger to school children walking home.
Supervisors also approved: Samuel Stoltzfus’ request to place a roof with snow catchers over his manure pit on White Oak Road; Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau as its tax collector; paying health insurance deductibles for employees; Kim Davis as part-time recording secretary/bookkeeper; and a $150 donation to the Gap Fire Company for installing a weather station atop the township radio tower.
Supervisors also expressed concern that people are not respecting the “No Trespassing” signs along the Enola low-grade line. Supervisor Linda Swift said there were 12 signs along the township’s portion of the trail, and they have all disappeared. Supervisors said residents should not be on the trail because of ongoing bridge work, repairs and liability concerns.
Octorara to receive new faces and financing
Tackling some “fiscal housekeeping, “ Octorara Area School Board members said Oct. 12 they plan to take advantage of favorable interest rates to refinance $10 million in construction debt.
The move should save the school district about $153,000 in interest charges during the 2009/10 school year, according to Ken Phillips of RBC Dain Rauscher, who will present the school board with the legal paperwork for the deal during its regular meeting Monday, Oct. 19.
According to Phillips, the move will consolidate three bond issues and pay some of the contractors currently working on the $37 million high school renovation.
In other business, the school board announced Pete Mango will resign as a school board member next Monday. Mango represents Region 1, which includes the municipalities of Atglen and Christiana boroughs, Parkesburg North, and West Sadsbury Township.
Mango, who is retiring from municipal police work in Chester County, is beginning a Signal 88 Security franchise, which will provide a roving patrol to clients such as shopping centers, corporate parks and schools.
Newcome said the school board is interested in hearing from any resident interested in filling Mango’s term, which expires in 2011. Candidates should send a resume and letter of interest to the superintendent by Nov. 2.
The school board plans to then hold a special meeting to interview those vying to fill the last two years of Mango’s term. Mango’s announcement did not come in time for a candidate to muster a campaign for the November general school board elections. Region 1 is also served by board members Linda Bicking and Brian Norris, whose terms expire in 2011.
In Region 2, which includes Sadsbury Township (Lancaster County) and West Fallowfield Township, two candidates are running for the two seats which are up for election. They are Samuel Ganow of Cochranville, a Republican who is running again for his seat, and John McCartney of Sadsbury Township, who has cross-filed as both a Republican and Democrat.
Lisa Bowman’s Region 2 seat does not expire until 2011.
Duane Hershey, school board president, is not running again in Region 2 following 12 years of service he said he has “really enjoyed.” Hershey is a Cochranville dairy farmer and the son of retired state Rep. Art Hershey.
School board members Robert Hume (who has cross-filed with both major parties) and Nelson Stoltzfus, a Republican, are both running again for their seats in Region 3, which serves Highland and Londonderry townships, and Parkesburg South. John Malone’s seat does not go up for reelection until 2011.
Finally, Newcome offered highlights of the recent audit of the district’s gifted education program, which serves 30 students in grades K-4, 43 students in fifth and sixth grades, 47 students in seventh and eighth grades, and 37 high school students.
There were three major findings in the audit, requiring the school district to make three changes prior to August, 2010: write gifted IEPs to student strengths, rather than generically; move the gifted program away from the pull-out model and into regular classrooms; and reduce teacher caseloads.
Newcome said the district plans to provide staff training, parent information and education, and develop a staffing budget to comply with the audit.
The move should save the school district about $153,000 in interest charges during the 2009/10 school year, according to Ken Phillips of RBC Dain Rauscher, who will present the school board with the legal paperwork for the deal during its regular meeting Monday, Oct. 19.
According to Phillips, the move will consolidate three bond issues and pay some of the contractors currently working on the $37 million high school renovation.
In other business, the school board announced Pete Mango will resign as a school board member next Monday. Mango represents Region 1, which includes the municipalities of Atglen and Christiana boroughs, Parkesburg North, and West Sadsbury Township.
Mango, who is retiring from municipal police work in Chester County, is beginning a Signal 88 Security franchise, which will provide a roving patrol to clients such as shopping centers, corporate parks and schools.
Newcome said the school board is interested in hearing from any resident interested in filling Mango’s term, which expires in 2011. Candidates should send a resume and letter of interest to the superintendent by Nov. 2.
The school board plans to then hold a special meeting to interview those vying to fill the last two years of Mango’s term. Mango’s announcement did not come in time for a candidate to muster a campaign for the November general school board elections. Region 1 is also served by board members Linda Bicking and Brian Norris, whose terms expire in 2011.
In Region 2, which includes Sadsbury Township (Lancaster County) and West Fallowfield Township, two candidates are running for the two seats which are up for election. They are Samuel Ganow of Cochranville, a Republican who is running again for his seat, and John McCartney of Sadsbury Township, who has cross-filed as both a Republican and Democrat.
Lisa Bowman’s Region 2 seat does not expire until 2011.
Duane Hershey, school board president, is not running again in Region 2 following 12 years of service he said he has “really enjoyed.” Hershey is a Cochranville dairy farmer and the son of retired state Rep. Art Hershey.
School board members Robert Hume (who has cross-filed with both major parties) and Nelson Stoltzfus, a Republican, are both running again for their seats in Region 3, which serves Highland and Londonderry townships, and Parkesburg South. John Malone’s seat does not go up for reelection until 2011.
Finally, Newcome offered highlights of the recent audit of the district’s gifted education program, which serves 30 students in grades K-4, 43 students in fifth and sixth grades, 47 students in seventh and eighth grades, and 37 high school students.
There were three major findings in the audit, requiring the school district to make three changes prior to August, 2010: write gifted IEPs to student strengths, rather than generically; move the gifted program away from the pull-out model and into regular classrooms; and reduce teacher caseloads.
Newcome said the district plans to provide staff training, parent information and education, and develop a staffing budget to comply with the audit.
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