The fate of the Act 1 provision to have voter referendum approval instituting taxes on local income will be determined May 15, 2007.
Citizens will render their verdicts regarding Governor Rendell’s version of property tax relief.
If the voters endorse the tax on either earned or personal income, then most of this new revenue is for property tax relief.
The probable beneficiaries would be low income and seniors who own homes.
Even if the public votes against the measure, Act 1 will still be the tax package for the Commonwealth.
The legislation is unpopular with school boards because it has a back-end referendum potentially putting modest limits on spending.
The taxpayer groups are unhappy because they expect a tax relief package of sales tax and state income taxes to replace local school property taxes. Others say the exemptions to the inflation index make the legislation meaningless and the promised gambling proceeds for tax relief are the figment of a Governor’s imagination.
The odds makers are predicting a rejection by the voters. If this is the case, then the assumption is the citizens want Harrisburg to go back to the drawing board and come up with a “true” tax reform package.
Tax reform means different things to different people. To a school board and certain special interests, it means unfettered access to more sources of family income without spending controls. To the taxpayer groups, it means the elimination of the school taxes and replacing them with other revenue sources.
Unfortunately, the Governor, the House and the Senate are in no mood to start a new round of debates on public school finances. Property tax reform is on the bottom of the list of things to do much less being on the list at all.
“Throw the bums out” will be the rallying cry, again. The politicians seem unfazed by these threats even after a racking in the press and a modest house cleaning in the last election.
If the scenario of voter rejection to raise local taxes is met by Harrisburg responding to the outcome with indifference, the citizens do have the option of molding Act 1 to their liking.
It is far easier to change sections of existing statutes than to convince a horde of politicians with various agendas to creating new laws.
Eliminating the exemptions to the inflation index-spending cap is a start.
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60 comments:
You are right!!!
In the message title article you state 'Most of the beneficiaries will be seniors and low income individuals'.
That is only a partial truth. Those that may be affected (negatively) the most may be either seniors or low income. If a senior is completely retired with no earned income, then their would be no negative impact, unless they rent, then they will probably see a rent increase to cover the additional tax that the landlord is burdened with.
Seniors (with employment) and low income individuals will be saddled with the additional eit tax.
The biggest losers will be anyone that rents and works, They will likely see an increase in rent to cover the landlords additional taxes on the rental income and will also pay the additional earned income taxes.
Therefore, I conclude that the broadly characterized statements that certain groups will benefit is an unfair/incorrect statement.
Based on the information that was published for the Oley school district, there were more renters than seniors in the district, but no one could identify how many seniors were renters.
The school's tax group had stated that the tax shift would help 30% of households and hurt 70%.
Does the school or its board publish the tax groups findings? Can we get a copy of the tax groups finding's and post it on either the blog or the schools web site?
The bottom line is, when each of us go to vote, and hopefully everyone does, you look at the ramifications of a new tax, and if it benefits you, then vote yes, if it hurts you vote No.
I just do not buy into this philosophy that it will send a message ... That is a load of BS. Fast eddie and his cronnies can care less. Property tax reform does NOT equal liability shifting.
There are NO groups that will benefit. As previously stated, we found that 70% of the taxpayers in the district will pay more taxes. The other 30%, those who do not have earned income, will see a reduction in their property tax. However, in the out years, their property taxes will gradually increase until they are back to current levels and even higher.
Let's not forget, also, that even though school property taxes temporarily decrease, county real estate taxes will most likely continue to rise thereby negating any benefit of school property tax reduction. It's quite a shell game they have going on with us...
Al, I greatly respect your opinion, but mine differs on Act I.
It seems to me that we must send a message -- loud and clear -- to our State Legislators and the Governor that we are not as stupid as they think. Accepting Act I is playing into their deceitful, dirty hands.
If we accept this gutted, pseudo tax relief package, then we deserve what we get. The referendum portion has become meaningless as we've already seen the number of tax increase exemptions allowed to the District.
The income tax portion simply provides another pocket for the edurats and bureaurats to pick. In time, property taxes will get higher and higher, accompanied, as RS said, with higher county and school income taxes.
The solution is to completely ELIMINATE property taxes, REDUCE spending, and make government live within "the peoples'" means. And to "throw the bums out!" --- that includes incumbent legislators and school directors (with the exception of the few who have stood and been hammered for standing with the people). This is a non-partisan issue. We need to stand together as "taxpayers," not mere members of certain political parties. Both parties have betrayed us on this issue.
Of course, all of the above requires nothing short of a miracle. And the way our society is dishonoring and mocking God, we can't expect and don't deserve such an act of grace.
Wake up Pennsylvania and America!
Act 1 is terrible, but it is far better than nothing.
...Act 1 is terrible, but it is far better than nothing...
I am so glad our forefathers did not act defeated, and looked to correct the problems as desired by the will will of the people. They threw a whole bunch of tea into the bay and declared war!
Vote no to the crumbs they are giving us and send Harrisburg a real message.
I agree with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th message.
To 7:03pm:
Would you elaborate on your comment and tell us in what way Act 1 is "far better than nothing".
I have studied this issue and served on the Tax Study Commission and have not been able to come up with one reason to support it. In fact, not one of the nine committee members supported Act 1 as it is currently written.
RS: Is it true that the nine of you were not board members? If true, that is important because many who are on this blog don't think highly of the board or their actions.
I am against Act 1, because I believe that it is poor law, and that if it is defeated, than the better system, the sales tax system, will get additional momentum. If this is accepted, we settled for crumbs, and will have to wait 30 more years, burdening our children and grand children with our inability to fix the problems we have created.
There was one current board member on the commission (Mrs. McCarthy).
I agree with your comments concerning Act 1.
Reading about the big spender$ past and present who want all the frills, they should be more than willing to pay their fair share of greed.
I agree whole-heartedly with those who think Act 1 is not good legislation, and I enthusiastically support the concept of using a sales tax as the replacement for school property taxes.
The taxpayer groups did a fantastic job in their lobbying efforts during the elections.
Before I became involved with Act 50 which is a stronger version of Act 1, and was eventually appointed to the tax study committee, a representative called me and explained the concept of using sales taxes instead of property taxes to finance public education.
I told the caller his idea was better than Act 50, but with all due respect, we needed to move forward. When and if his concept came to be then he would get the support he wanted.
That was my position in late 2002, and that is my position today.
Waiting for promises is bad policy.
In 2007, the original concept of the sales tax solution has mutated to a possible sales and personal income tax plan with no abolishment of property taxes.
In Governor Rendell’s latest radio interview, he showed no signs of backing away from his plan, just the opposite. The newly elected representatives are now comfortable and show no inclination to tackle controversial issues in the near future.
Regardless of how people vote on the earned income tax referendum, Act 1 will remain in effect after May 2007.
There is no support at all for the elimination of school property taxes in Harrisburg, now or in the future.
The only recent inducement is in the form of raising a sales and state income tax. However, most of that will go to socialist programs, and a morsel may be for tax relief.
If the Governor and the weak-kneed legislature oppose eliminating Act 1 much less property taxes , then the only solution I read is the hope that events will influence a change of heart. If the threat of not being re-elected does not influence the politicians, then I am hard pressed to know what will make them listen.
The key will be whether Rendell’s budget is approved in June. If it is, then my prediction is that it will be many years before any revisions occur, if at all.
In my opinion, the only opportunity for the taxpayers is to revise Act 1 into viable legislation. This may be too pragmatic, but politics is not winner take all.
OCC:
I do not agree with your opinion nor your view of what course of action will be most beneficial.
I believe that a total rejection of Act 1 will force the issue of property taxes, school funding and possible a sales tax initiative back into the Harrisburg elite.
Accepting, either fully or partially takes our elected officials off the hook. Only in a few area's, such as Berks county, will this issue stay alive in hopes of a better financing policy of the public school. Much of our state is very passive as it relates to these issues. That is evident by the fact that there are very few good paying jobs in this state. The passive attitude, and willingness to settle for less, in lieu of making necessary changes, has chased the good employers out of hear, leaving our kids with poor career opportunities.
Politics are not perfect, but that does not mean that we should not set high standards and expectations for our officials, and then keep on them to strive, meet and exceed these standards.
Ultimately, my opinion has not waivered, and I believe that a sales tax system needs to be implemented, and have not read anything in the Act 1 that would even come close to making me consider voting in favor of Act 1.
What's going on here? The past blogs actually look like people are blogging about serious issues! WOW!
3:56pm, how come you are not writing about serious issues??? You make a joke of everything. You are another big spender of our money. Nothing is funny about what is going on here in Oley regarding keeping big surplus of our money in funds and then raising our taxes. Even if Act 1 never came to be, we have enough money in Oley to give ALL the people a break. Not just low income, EVERYONE!! You refuse to give us any relief. If you are not from the board or have no relations with this board, this message is then for the board members that read this blog. Believe me they all read this.
I miss the name calling....
Name calling, what happened to smiles?? He or she is full of name calling. They do not like the facts being written on this blog. This is what this blog is for, to be able to write the facts and not get only 3 minutes and people making faces at you. Thanks Al again for giving us our freedom on this blog.
Speaking of name calling and making faces, if you're reading this...you're missing the big Republican show!
"Politics are not perfect, but that does not mean that we should not set high standards and expectations for our officials, and then keep on them to strive, meet and exceed these standards."
These must be the standards people use when they vote the same tax and spenders to our dysfunctional school board.
Oley, the place where cows are smarter than people.
...Oley, the place where cows are smarter than people...
Nothing new with this comment.
That is why we have 3 pizza shops and no jobs!
You call that pizza?
"Name calling, what happened to smiles?? He or she is full of name calling."
Oh, I'm still here! But you are confused about one thing. There's never been any name calling coming from me! I just sit back and laugh at all the silly comments coming from everyone else!!
Oh, and don't forget to smile!! ;)
:)
true, true
That's right, smiley blogger. I don't recall any name calling on your part. Although I could be wrong. I only recall things that lead a reader's mind to draw these conclusions:
You have no problem paying your taxes, so you don't appear to care about others that do.
You are (or were) on the payroll which is in question.
You like the creativity of being published on this blog.(which only requires access to a computer, and one finger typing)
You admire your own brillant mind, because no-o-o-o-o-body had to teach you how to make the little, crooked smiley face.
Therapy. Look into it.
Well, I guess the discussion of Act 1 is finished and we are moving on to the usual pointless comments. It seems some on here have attention spans of two minutes.
Hey, Smiley! Why don't you take your act to another blog and save us from your condescension. Your material is stale, you aren't funny and you never have anything to add to the discussion. :(
I would say the discussion concerning tax reform is DOA in Harrisburg.
The "Representatives" are going back in session Monday at 1:30.
If you wish to see what is on the agenda, go to the "Official House of Representatives Site" and check out the action.
Those people are really overworked.
News Flash:
The Pennsylvania School Board Association is formulating plans to deal with the back-end referendum in Act 1. They do not want the public to have any say regarding school budgets.
First, they will lobby Harrisburg to eliminate referendums entirely.
Plan B is to develop strategies selling the idea of spending above the inflation index to the public.
This was revealed at a recent meeting at the BCIU.
The idea is massive advertising and promotion pushing feel good with lots of pictures, then plead for more taxes.
Direct mail to age groups below 60, enlist the teachers, recruit "key communicators" in the community, organize coffee groups, etc. are some of the elements in the propaganda campaign.
Of course, all of this will be done with local tax dollars.
The citizens of Oley should ask the board members if this will be a good use of educational tax dollars.
"You have no problem paying your taxes, so you don't appear to care about others that do."
No problem as in I am willing to pay them? That is correct! No problem as in implying that I am wealthy? Completely incorrect! I just don't complain!
"You are (or were) on the payroll which is in question."
Absolutely incorrect! I have no ties to the school district whatsoever! ...other than the fact that I pay taxes and my children attend there.
"You like the creativity of being published on this blog.(which only requires access to a computer, and one finger typing)"
Well, I don't know, maybe I do. But mostly I like to respond to the ridiculous statements! Oh, and I am a quite proficient typist, by the way! ;)
"You admire your own brillant mind, because no-o-o-o-o-body had to teach you how to make the little, crooked smiley face."
Nah, I never was conceited. Just enjoy expressing my opinion!
"Therapy. Look into it."
You meaning providing it? Sorry, but I'm not a therapist. I do think quite a few people on here could use it though! (Yes, I do know that's not what you had in mind!)
"Hey, Smiley! Why don't you take your act to another blog and save us from your condescension. Your material is stale, you aren't funny and you never have anything to add to the discussion. :("
Well, thanks for sharing, but I mostly use humor because that's my style....not because I'm trying to impress anyone with new material. I'm the first to admit that I would never make it as a comedian! ;)
...and... I've added plenty to the discussion, just not on the same entries as my humorous entries! Yes, I do switch my hats from time to time! :)
The next comment will probably be that I am RC or Dale or a board member or a teacher...yadda, yadda, yadda. Well, once again, I am none of the above. Just a satisfied Oley Valley citizen and parent! Yes, lots of us do, in fact, exist!!!! :) :)
I got this message from the Daniel Boone taxpayer advocacy group. To the best of my knowledge, they are an organization, w/ meetings, etc. They are more formal in formulating a "plan of attack" in fixing the spending issues at public schools, than we are at this point. I was surprised to read their comments concerning conversations with state law makers. I was also disappointed that Oley is not on the list of protest schools.
____
...just wanted to give you an update on school districts that approved the Act 1 condemnation resolution . The count is now 27 - the list is below. Note--Daniel Boone is on the list (this is good news for hard working taxpayers who want to defeat ACT I).
Also, several legislators have told DBTA and the various State Tax organizations that defeat of the May 15 tax shift referendum is critical if we expect to see elimination legislation enacted. They felt that the Governor will brag that Pennsylvanians prefer property taxes and Act 1's "relief" and nothing more will be done if the referendum passes in too many districts. Therefore it is important to vote against the referendum as it appears on the ballot!!
We have less than two weeks remaining before the election. Please do what you can in your areas to help with this vital initiative to defeat the referendum. In the Daniel Boone School District, it would be helpful to let your neighbors be aware of the tax ballot question and what is at stake!
THANK YOU!!
Act 1 Resolution Schools
1) Antietam (Berks)
2) Armstrong (Armstrong)
3) Athens (Bradford)
4) Boyertown (Berks/Montgomery)
5) Brandywine Heights (Berks)
6) Bristol Township (Bucks)
7) Canton (Bradford/Lycoming/Tioga)
8) Catasauqua (Lehigh/Northampton)
9) Centennial (Bucks)
10) Central Bucks (Bucks) (largest district in the state subject to Act 1 provisions)
11) Coatesville (Chester)
12) Conrad Weiser (Berks)
13) Daniel Boone (Berks)
14) Exeter (Berks)
15) Governor Mifflin (Berks)
16) Marion Center (Indiana)
17) Muhlenberg (Berks)
18) Old Forge (Lackawanna)
19) Palmyra (Lebanon)
20) Pennsbury (Bucks)
21) South Williamsport (Lycoming)
22) Tunkhannock (Wyoming)
23) West Branch (Clearfield)
24) William Penn (Delaware)
25) Wilson (Berks)
26) Wyalusing Area (Bradford)
27) Wyomissing (Berks)
"Also, several legislators have told DBTA and the various State Tax organizations that defeat of the May 15 tax shift referendum is critical if we expect to see elimination legislation enacted."
Politicians will say whatever you want to hear.
SICK OF THOSE HIGH PAID TEACHERS
I, for one am sick of those high paid teachers. Their hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work nine months a year!
It’s time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do – baby sit! We can get that for less than minimum wage.
That’s right… I would pay them $3.00 an hour and only for the hours they worked, not that silly planning time. That would be 7 hours a day (7:45 AM to 3:30 PM with 45 minutes off for lunch).
Each parent should pay $21.00 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now, how many do they teach in a day… maybe 25 kids?
So that’s $21.00 x 25. But remember they only work 180 days a year. I’m not going to pay them for any vacations, they have the whole Summer off!
Let’s see… that’s $21.00 x 25 x 180 days = $94,500. (Hold on! My calculator must need new batteries!)
What about the ones with Master’s Degrees? Well, we could pay them double just to be fair. $6.00 per hour, which is still below minimum wage.
That would be $6.00 x 7 hours x 25 children x 180 days = $189,000 per year.
Wait a minute, there is something wrong here!
Now that's fuzzy math. Only a teacher or spouse of a teacher thinks the above equations make any sense at all. If they want to be paid by student, we'll pay them for those with a B average or higher, and for those who actually achieve something on the PSSA's -- not "adequate."
Isn't it amazing. What an interesting comment.
Now the teachers want to be paid per student, and who on earth says they work 7 hours a day.
The middle school teachers have to be there by 7:15 and leave at 2:30 or 2:45. They are in the building for 7 hours a day, but in no way, shape or form are they teaching that entire time. And don't forget lunch. And don't forget the period of planning per day that they get.
Any way you slice it, and toppings you add or don't add, the teachers have it made. Then add the benefits in. With the benefits added on to this amount, the teachers and administrators make plenty of money! So why are they always complaining about their jobs?
Usually when people complain about their jobs, they seek new ones. I believe it's called PUT UP OR SHUT UP!
"$21.00 x 25 x 180 days = $94,500,
$6.00 x 7 hours x 25 children x 180 days = $189,000 per year"
Greedy math.
Perhaps the blogger that came up with the teacher's hourly rate equation should do a little more research.
No two teachers put forth the same amount of effort.
Wow! Interesting equation! We will gladly pay a babysitter at least $3.00 per hour/per child, but how dare we pay a teacher even half that rate!! Talk about greedy!!! ...greedy taxpayers! ...and I am not a teacher! (or a board member)
You may not be a teacher or a board member, but there are 3 letters describing who you are.
Don't know many greedy taxpayers. The problem isn't that we aren't taxed enough. It's that government entities like schools demands are bankrupting the system. Taxpayers aren't greedy, they're just trying to survive. We can't even sell our homes. More people are leaving than buying. The system is broken and the teachers demands are as much of a problem as the politicians.
Mornin' !
I'm not a board member or teacher...but I played one on TV.
The current cost PER CHILD is more than $7,500 a school year. The teachers SHARE in the costs for each child -- they DO NOT drive the bus, Pay their assistants, administrate, prepare/serve food in the caf., conduct building maintenance and insurance, utilities, pay their own health insurance and save for retirement, etc., etc., etc. If they paid for the buildings in which they teach, then maybe they could "ask nicely" for more money.
Sadly, the above equations ARE an indication of greed, not the taxpayers' support of government schools.
If I had to pay $21/day, I would expect 8 hours of teaching. The preparation work would be on the teacher to do without pay. That is the cost of doing business.
Additionally, I would expect performance. Unlike the current situation, where poor performing teachers just ride things out until retirement, the taxpayer's would have the ability to replace teachers the same way we replace any other service provider.
I personally would love a system that paid the teachers as if the were contractors and not employees. The only thing I would like more than that is to get a cake job with perks galore like a teacher.
"Talk about greedy!!! ...greedy taxpayers!"
The local communist.
We are in the process of trying to sell our home.
Today we had an offer way below what we can accept. The reason the people cannot afford our "greatly reduced already" asking price is "property taxes are the killer!" They can afford the mortgage for the house; but another $400 a month for property taxes killed the deal.
So, tell us again, dear School Board, how property taxes aren't affecting anybody.
No matter how nice your home is, I'll bet the very first question the serious buyer asks is...
WHAT ARE THE TAXES?
Dear house seller,
I can feel your pain. As a transplant into Oley, I wrestled with this burden. In addition to the property taxes, later this week we are encroaching income tax freedom day (may 12th) in PA. As a working parent, May 12 represents the day (In Pennsylvania) where we have worked to pay all the other exorbanate taxes we are burden with like social security, fed, state and local income taxes etc. On top of that the county and school property taxes. In the end, you only get about 50% of our income, and the industry in this country has been run into the ground to the point that the jiob market is horrible, and the thought of pensions have been eliminated.
Below is a link (for you to cut and paste into your explorer address line) to the county site which shows, per township what the actual millage rate is throughout Berks county.
For you, the bright side is that it is not like the buyer has cheaper alternatives in the surrounding townships or school districts.
Bottom line is that governments, starting at the federal level and working its way down to the school district are out of control.
Probably not what you wanted to read, but to my dismay is factual.
http://www.co.berks.pa.us/berks/lib/berks/departments/assessment/berks_municipal_tax_rates.pdf
Thanks for the county-wide tax info. Actually we are moving out of state where taxes on a comparable home to the one we have now are $1865 per year vs. $4875 here. We have no services here at all and never had children in the system. This place has just gotten too rich for our blood, despite working our entire adult lives, living within our means and saving and planning for our retirement.
Like you said, with the global job situation destroying American job markets, who on earth is going to be able to buy any kind of a home in another decade. Unless people are government employees or professionals, good blue collar incomes are a thing of the past.
Thanks for your empathy.
Please don't take this the wrong way, but unless you are fortunate enough to be retired, the grass is not necessarily greener elsewhere.
The taxes are out of control everywhere. For instance, in DE the property taxes are lower, but the incremental income taxes are crucifying people, including the senior citizens who are collecting both ssi and a pension.
A friend recently (two years ago) retire to Florida, only to tell me that the taxes their were worse than in PA. They have no income tax, and have very low property taxes, but zapped him annually on owning two cars, and taxed him on his investment portfolio (401K and Pension).
The moral of this story is that be prepared to pay the exact same amount of taxes, just in different ways. They (government) will pick your pocket. The only question is which pocket they pick.
The only solution is to eliminate nonmandated social activities, and that is not popular. Al of the OCC will point to t5he $1.4 million athletic program, others will point to special needs, others will point to helping women in crisis and yet others will point to social security benefits such as prescription drugs. None of these activities are required government spending, but many votes to the politicians are tied to each of the programs.
It is unfortunate, but our country, state and local governments have progressed towards a socialist atmosphere and not a democracy.
The last article I saw had around half the income of farmers coming from government subsiies, and this country is famous for giving money to industries like Coca Cola and tax breaks to the "poor" oil companies who really need them. Put that on top of the massive welfare system known as social security and medicare, and you won't find too many with their face NOT in the trough, but still complaining about everyone else. Do you complain about unemployment comp or disability payments, etc? All are 'socialist' freebies.
I'm not surprised to see the merry bloggers back to name calling and nastiness and selfishness.
to 8:43 AM Get a little smarter, get a little more education, and get a lot more patience and you too can be a teacher. In the current environment, you couldn't pay me enough to put up with the government rules and requirements, the administrators,the parents and the whiners who know nothing about the other factors involved.
Gee, interesting what "2:42 PM, May 09, 2007" has to say... I thought taxes were purely an Oley problem caused by Oley school board members. You mean other people pay taxes too? Well, I suppose their school boards are also made up of evil snakes, just like ours!!
to 9:06 p.m.
Of course taxes are not just an "Oley problem". It's clear that Oley taxes are Oley's problem. Really, a fairly simple theory.
As for the Oley Board:
When we voted them into office, we expected to receive what we were promised. I'm sure we all recall the heartfelt comments made by those running for the Board. It was clearly stated by all candidates that their wish was to be part of the group of dedicated people possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles and professional standards, acting on behalf of every concerned citizen, every parent, and most importantly, every student.
There's always room for improvement.
..."I'm sure we all recall the heartfelt comments made by those running for the Board. It was clearly stated by all candidates..."
When, where did this take place. Did I miss a debate. I have never heard anyboard member state anything like this. I have not even seen a candidate yard sign.
I was told that a decade or two ago, there used to be a meet the candidate night. They stopped hosting it, due too lack of public attendance.
Is this correct? As for the board members? we hope that we get utopia, but no promises where ever made to the best of my knowledge.
Did anyone go to the meeting last night? I heard it was terrible. The board is looking at zapping the taxpayers again, this time with a stadium and lights for the future football field and new track. Who on earth is going to pay for all of this? They say it is not coming from tax dollars!! Ha, they always say that and we get the bill anyway. Please tell me this is not so!
Todays Reading Eagle, Muhlenberg and Mifflin school board candidates have a forum with the public. What is going on here in Oley? Are we having a meet the candidate night? Are we going to be able to asked the 5 running some important questions and what they think of them? Some of the group from Muhlenberg had their own TV meeting.
Come on Oley step up the public would like to ask you questions. Even if 2 people show up, you should still have a meeting with the public.
PLEASE RESPOND: FUTURE NEW BOARD MEMBERS, BURNS, KUBITZ, BIEBER, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF SPENDING THE TAXPAYERS MONEY ON LIGHTS AND A STADIUM? DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS BEFORE IT WAS TALKED ABOUT LAST NIGHT? WHY DID YOU NOT COME TO THE MEETING? IF YOU REALLY WANT TO HELP THE PEOPLE AND CHILDREN IN THIS DISTRICT YOU SHOULD BE GOING TO ALL THE MEETINGS BEFORE THE ELECTION AND GET FAMILIAR IN THE PROCESS. I WOULD GUESS IT MAKES YOU ILL TO HEAR WHAT IS GOING ON HERE! WE DEAL WITH THE EDUCATION OF THE CHILDREN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST. SPORTS AND FEEL GOOD ITEMS COME FIRST. EVEN IF THE BOARD IS GETTING MONEY FROM SOME OTHER SOURCE, THIS NEW FOUND MONEY SHOULD GO TO EDUCATION!!! WHAT ARE WE ANYWAY? BY THE LOOKS OF LAST YEARS PSSA SCORES WE NEED ALOT OF HELP IN THIS DISTRICT. WHAT IS BARB BIEBERS TAKE ON THIS LIGHTING AND STADIUM ISSUE? IS SHE IS FAVOR OF THIS OR NOT? WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS THAT JUST SIT AND LISTEN LAST NIGHT AND NOT ASK OR HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT SPENDING MORE OF OUR MONEY ON NON-EDUCATIONAL ITEMS.
THE FOOTBALL FAMILIES ARE MOST LIKELY HAPPY OF THIS NEW PROPOSAL OF LIGHTING AND A STADIUM, THIS IS GOING TO BE FOR THEM TOOO!
What is going on with the newspaper reporters? They do not come to the meetings anymore! Are they being told not to come?
Meeting Update: 5/9/07
The board approved the Proposed Final Budget of $26,580,529.00 which is a .96 mill increase to 23.46 mills.
A homeowner assessed at $100,000 will pay $2,346 in school property taxes.
.96 represents approximately $624,000 of additional revenue for the 2007-2008 budget.
The business manager indicated the district will have nearly $5,575,000 sitting in surplus by the end of the fiscal year, or June 20,2007.
The board wants $624,000, they have $5,575,000 in funds, yet they raise taxes for the seventh consecutive year!
What are the board plans with all this excess?
The new post "$225,000 for the new $1,400,000 track" might explain the board disdain for the taxpayers.
How did a person that never sat on the board received more votes than one of the incumbents running for re-election?
Hello school board, the referendum is not going away even though the people voted Act 1 out! We knew that by raising one tax to get another tax lowered was a joke and was not true tax reform. We want fiscal responsibility from this school board. We are interested in seeing what the new 3 members will do once they join in December. Reckless spending is over!!! Education must come first.
Reading the election results for the Oley School Board it shows a new member getting more votes than the Dr. Whats up with that?
I like that we had write-in votes! People even a few wanted someone else to get on this board.
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