| Montgomery County, PA | May 17, 2011 Election |
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BudgetBy Carl F. Schultheis, Jr.Candidate for Director; Upper Merion Area School District; Democratic, Republican Party |
This information is provided by the candidate | |
There is a need for a five year budgetMost of the school budget is allocated to employment contracts which are in effect for two to as many as five years for central and school administrators, teachers, bus drivers,food servers,custodians and ground maintenance workers. The fund balance has been diminished over the past five years, and a referendum for an enlarged elementary school has been defeated in spite of increasing enrollment. There is oonsiderable debt service. The challenge is gigantic with the Act I restrictions, the decreasing revenues from the state and federal governments and the decreased assessments of commercial real estate lowering the tax revenues. In addition there are unfunded mandates for special education and for students whose maternal language is not English. The litigious culture directs funds away from education to legal fees and out of court settlements. There is also required testing which rates students' performance and ultimately the District's rank. Funds are also diverted to charter and cyber schools. There is a subsidized or free lunch program for students from low income families. In the distance is pending legislation for school vouchers. The Board needs directors who know Area V well, have business experience, and have been involved in the school district and the community. Board directors need to devote time to study the issues to oversee the budget so that that students participate in an educational program that will provide them what is needed to succeed in our diverse world. There needs to be a plan with a five year budget projection. |
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