- The projected tax revenue base will increase by 5.71%.
- The projected enrollment growth next year is 1.8%, down from an average of 2.3% the past seven years.
- Unfortunately, the expenditures will increase by 9.78%, up from an average of 7.4% the past seven years.
- To avoid raising taxes an addition 1.67 mills, a transfer from the general fund, fund balance will be made. However, since the increases are all due to regular expenses and not a one time bump, the option to transfer funds will not be available in future years meaning a more significant tax hike when the fund balance runs dry.
- Nazareth's tax rate ranked in the top third this year and was nearly in the top 25% last year.
Considering current expenditures are nearly twice the increase in revenue, before the building projects are engaged and not considering any changes as a result of the yet unsigned teachers' contract, the Nazareth School District could be facing a significant tax crisis in the very near future.
Until I began sifting through old minutes and meeting reports I wasn't aware of the extent of the building project or the tax situation on the school district level. I have to admit I haven't been to meetings, but I also don't recall reading this in the papers.
Were you aware of the situation in the school district? What do you think? Can Nazareth area residents continue to absorb these increases? What can we do about school spending? Please share your thoughts and opinions.
7 comments:
Ross,
No, I wasn't completely aware of the situation in the school district. I guess I'm too busy trying to keep the new municipal building from being built in the park, and over budget. I am always thinking what a tax burden it would be on our borough residents. Can you imagine the tax increase for the school AND the borough building??? Where is the $$$ going to come from? It most definately will put people out of their homes. They will have to look for a less expensive community. Soon Nazareth will no longer be the nice home town so many of us have lived in all our lives. It will be a town of strangers, high taxes, overly fancy schools, and a grand municipal building that will make our town officials happy so they don't have to be embarrased. Sad. What more can we do?? If you have any ideas please tell me.
What happens when the cow runs dry? My belief is the school board and district officials in general, have been living in another world for years. They seem to be more fascinated with newer, bigger buildings and providing curriculum only benefiting a few, than graduating students who can complete a sentence and make change from a cash drawer. If the district had to live within it's means like the rest of us, they would starve. I'd love to levy a nice raise from my employer to pay my bills, just as the school district does with us. But in the real world it doesn't work that way.
It's time to think of solutions, other than throwing more money at an ever growing problem. Obviously, more building hasn't improved the learning experience. It's time to go back to the basics of education. Another new building and fancier sporting facilities will not improve the education of students. It only makes us prettier with a larger tax burden.
Frankly, where are all the folks who have so vehemently opposed the proposed borough complex?
So, again I ask, what happens when the cow goes dry?
Fred,
Unfortunately I am so tied up with the stuff going on in the council and trying to stop the building of a new government center that I don't stay up on the school district issues. I think it's alot for the citizens to stay on top of all this stuff that can potentially tax us to death. Maybe that's the plan. Hit us with it all at once so we get so overwhelmed that we don't know nottin'. It doesn't take much for some of the town to think they don't have a voice and give up. I think that is the strategy. For me I have my hands full trying to keep the municipal building out of the park, within the budget, and in the downtown. Help us if you can.
Cindy,
You're to be admired and thanked for your community service, and you certainly shouldn't be expected to know everything going on. I doubt if anyone does. I wonder if the school district officials believe we all have money trees growing in our yards. Nazareth is a very special place, but it's not 'that' special.
I understand folks who don't want a building in Hall Park. I question if all they're interested in is saving the park. Look at it this way... it's like trying to cross the street, dodging the bicyclist coming from one direction and being splattered by the Mack truck you didn't see coming the other way.
A school district, like any good beaurocracy, will perpetuate itself if left unchecked. Maybe it's time to have some petitions against burying us all in tax burdens with another building program.
I for one want to be the little old man in the house down the street. Not end up having to sell my home because I can't afford the taxes, and have to "live in a van down by the river".
I have heard several times that the individuals working to keep the government center should also handle the school building/tax concerns. If I were Superwoman, I would charge through the community and save the whole town!!! But most of us are hard working folks with families and full time jobs. Every effort takes alot of time from your life, but we have done it because we felt it was important. Sometimes something grabs you and you run with it. I urge that someone step up to the plate on the school issue. I did. Several others did as well. It doesn't take much to start, just take a first step and gather your best friends and neighbors and take action. Words are easy, putting your face and reputation on the line takes courage. Isn't there one more courageous person out there????
Lori,
If only you were Superwoman. I include myself in being blindsided by the proverbial Mack truck. Having spent the first six months of this year caring for an ill family member, I was not familiar with your group or it's concern. Only while at a club dinner with the mayor, did I hear anything about your group. Having only heard one side of the story, I decided to attend council meetings for first hand information.
Do you know if there is a citizen's group paying attention to the school building proposal? Having not known anything about your group, I don't want to be left in the dark again.
Fred
I am sorry, but I do not know of anyone dealing with the school proposal. But there are over 4000 residents over the age of 18 in Nazareth. I hope that at least one other person that reads these comments could step up to the plate and organize something. When we are done with this goverment center stuff, I will help if I can (although my family might throw me out if I did). Good Luck...and stay tuned.
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