Education

By John P. Williamson

If Pennsylvania children are to be enabled to compete in the global economy, they will need strong fundamentals in Math, Science, English, vocational skills, and various other disciplines. Our state's funding of this endeavor is a worthwhile and admirable goal. Spending on educating our children, and enhancing our children's future, is one of the most valuable, and universally cherished principles of our culture. Every dollar that is legitimately used for this purpose is well spent.

Considering the importance of this cherished investment in our future, it is of great importance to our society that tax dollars, collected to educate children, are not allowed to be wasted, or misspent on expenditures that do not enhance learning. Those who would be careless about such expenditures do a disservice to the noble cause of Education.

Our state government is supposed to contribute 50% of the cost of local school districts. In return, a number of state mandated programs are performed by our school administrations and personnel. Twenty five years ago, in Haverford, Marple, and Radnor, our school districts received that 55% from the state. But the state Education Formula has gradually decreased the state subsidy to our school districts to less than 5% of our district costs.

If you are a taxpayer in Haverford, Marple, or Radnor, you receive less than a nickel for every education dollar you send to Harrisburg. Philadelphia, on the other hand, receives $1.30 for every education dollar that it sends to Harrisburg. If the charter says we should all be getting 50%, how has it come to pass that Philadelphia gets 130% (80% more than the charter calls for), and our districts get less than 5% (45% less than the charter calls for)?

The answer is that, for too long, no one has stood up to fight for the interests of our local school districts. Philadelphia has 28 state reps who fight for their district. But Haverford, Marple, and Radnor have a state rep who has said, "They (Philadelphia) need it more than my district". And so, no one questions this transfer of tax money.

If Philadelphia were a bastion of public responsibility, and an example of fiscal restraint, there might be more sympathy for the sentiment of the incumbent. But that is hardly the case. The Philadelphia City Council openly robs its constituents with a scam called the DROP program, in which these elected officials "retire", collect their entire pension fund, and then return to their jobs! Often the amounts collected exceed $500,000! But Philadelphians can't afford to educate their children.

Recently, a race riot broke out at South Philadelphia High, after which it was learned that the principal lacked certification. Was she fired? No, she was transferred to another school district position at the same $130,000 per year salary she had been receiving before. A follow up audit revealed that 16 other principals + in the high schools alone + lacked certification. Shortly thereafter, District Superintendent Arlene Ackerman (who receives an annual salary of over $500,000) received a "bonus" of $65,000. But Philadelphians can't afford to pay for their children to be educated.

Recently, a report listed the Pennsylvania Department of Education's statistics which indicate that Pennsylvania has 27,000 fewer public school students in 2010 than it had in 2000, but 33,000 more teachers and staff! The same report indicates that Philadelphia alone has 14,072 fewer students, but an increase of 304 teachers! Pittsburgh is even worse, with 16,883 fewer students, and nearly 3,000 more teachers. What possible educational justification could explain such extravagance by the stewards of the public treasury?

These are hardly isolated incidents. They are merely symptoms of a corrupt system, which has become unresponsive to the needs of its people. Sending every higher amounts of tax dollars from Haverford, Marple, and Radnor into this situation + without mandated oversight, and audits, is irresponsible. Once elected, I will insist upon a state audit of the Philadelphia School District, and mandatory oversight for any state funds sent to that school district.

In Education, from time to time, we hear educators advocating a "back to the basics" approach. I believe that a "back to the basics" approach is needed for Education Funding. Targeting our education dollars toward expenditures that enhance learning, and improve performance among our students is an important priority. Accomplishing this will improve education for our children, and lessen the burden on our taxpayers.