Credit: The Reporter.
The Pennridge School Board Monday, April 28 approved a resolution to protect public education amid fears of federal funding losses.
Such losses would have “devastating consequences” for students, especially special needs students, warns the resolution, including increased local taxes, significant cuts to essential programs and services, larger class sizes, fewer resources and a widening achievement gap. Pennridge receives roughly $2 million in federal funding, which primarily supports programs for at-risk and special needs students.
The resolution calls on Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and Senators John Fetterman and David McCormick to take an “unequivocal and public stand in defense of public education, opposing any efforts to defund of weaken it.”
The move follows an executive order by President Donald Trump to abolish the Department of Education and move its key functions to other agencies. (The order requires Congressional approval).
It also follows heightened uncertainty over federal funding in recent weeks. At Monday’s meeting, board president Ron Wurz revealed that the Bucks County Intermediate Unit, an educational service agency, is at risk of losing $800,000 in approved funding as well as $5 million in funding for the Head Start program, which subsidizes child care for low-income families. The district was also informed that $16,000 in approved funding has been shelved, said Wurz.
“We are asking our [Congressional] representative and senators to advocate for us and all the districts to make sure the funding and services we receive from the federal government continues,” said Wurz.
The resolution passed by a vote of 6-2, with board members Christine Batycki and Jordan Blomgren voting in the minority. Blomgren expressed support for the executive order, while dismissing concerns about federal funding losses.
“This resolution is being blown out of proportion. It’s not like the sky is falling,” said Blomgren. “I’m excited for this move to the states, and I truly believe that the funding will be secured.”
But board member Leah Rash noted that funding shifts will likely cause delays.
“We’ve seen it on other areas, the delays in funding,” said Rash. “Even if it’s moved to other federal departments or the state, there is not a preparedness to distribute that money in a timely manner.”
Wurz echoed Rash’s sentiments, arguing that the resolution is apolitical and solely aimed at protecting the district’s funding.
“It has nothing to do with whether the Department of Education exists or not,” said Wurz. “It has to do with whether we get the funding from the government. Even if we lose half that funding, it’s a full-mill tax increase to our district. I look at this from a purely financial standpoint.”
The resolution, along with a letter from Wurz and board vice president Carolyn Sciarrino, will be sent to the offices of Fitzpatrick, McCormick and Fetterman.
Opt-out survey policy
The board approved a revised survey policy allowing parents to opt their children out of third-party surveys.
The policy reverses changes made by the previous GOP-led board, requiring parental consent for all third-party surveys as well as non-third-party surveys on “controversial issues” and withdrawing the district’s participation in the “Pennsylvania Youth Survey” (PAYS), an anonymous state survey of middle and high school students addressing drug and alcohol usage, bullying, violence and mental health issues.
Under the new policy, the superintendent, in collaboration with the cabinet, will be tasked with approving third-party surveys. Parents will be notified of all third-party surveys at the beginning of the school year and no less than 10 days prior to the survey’s distribution, with the choice of opting their children out. Parents can also request copies of the surveys.
The policy also eliminates parental consent for non-third-party surveys on controversial issues and restores the district’s participation in PAYS.
Budget shortfall
In his report, Wurz announced that the district is facing a budget shortfall for this first time in several years. The shortfall, most recently estimated at $3.3 million, has been attributed to stagnant local tax revenue amid increasing district expenses.
Wurz identified one expense as cyber charter tuition payments. He noted that current state law requires identical tuition payments for brick-and-mortar and cyber charter schools, despite cyber charters having lower operating costs.
He additionally referenced a February audit by Pennsylvania’s Auditor General, which identified ballooning cyber charter revenue and surpluses and lavish spending. The Commonwealth Charter Academy, for example, spent $23 million on staff bonuses, $2.3 million on fuel stipends and nearly $9 million on advertising, said Wurz.
Wurz concluded by urging the community to press their state legislators for funding reforms.
“They have the power to change this. Why would we sit by and let our tax dollars go up to fund these frivolous costs?” asked Wurz. “Please don’t sit and let this continue. You, the taxpayer, are paying for this.”
The next Pennridge school board meeting is on May 12 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit pennridge.org
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