School director suggest closing school to help with taxes
CONNELLSVILLE – A school director has asked his fellow panel members to consider closing an elementary school and rolling back a recent tax increase as a way to cut expenses and ease the recent financial burden placed on property owners. Charles Wilson, a member of the Connellsville Area School District board of directors, said Tuesday that it was time to take action.
“I guess I am going to be the sacrificial lamb,” said Wilson, following the meeting.
His proposal includes shuttering the Connellsville Township Elementary School and moving the approximately 100 enrolled students to the newly constructed Springfield Township or Bullskin Township elementary schools.
Wilson said that the proximity of the two schools might require a longer bus ride for the students, but would not exceed the time frame other students travel from their homes to school.
He estimates 60 students would attend Springfield and the remaining students move to Bullskin. Both schools, Wilson said, could adequately house the students.
“I know there is going to be some criticism, but it is time to start thinking about it,” he said.
Wilson added that any move would not take place until the 2005-2006 school year. He also explained that many of the current Connellsville Township teachers would fill similar positions in the other schools or be reassigned to fill vacancies created with retirements.
If approved, Wilson said that administrators now utilizing the former Crawford School could be transferred to the Connellsville Township location.
“(The move) could save the district hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he said, noting high utility bills and other escalating costs in connection with the antiquated building.
Wilson received applause from the nearly 100 residents that attended the board meeting when he suggested that the recent 3.0599-mill increase be rolled back by 1.7 to 1.8 mills.
“I’ve never been in favor of the (3.0599) tax increase,” he said. “We don’t need $2.5 million in the reserve fund.
“We can get by with $1.5 million in that fund.”
By a 5-4 vote margin, the directors agreed in late June to increase the property tax rate from 9.5401 mills to 12.6 mills.
The measure was supported by board members David Goldblum, Thomas Dolde, Richard Galand, Chip Nicholson and Kevin Lape. Along with Wilson, board members Francis Mongell, Jeffrey Harvey and Loretta Lint cast dissenting votes.
The tax increase has prompted many property owners to regularly attend the board meetings and request some type of relief.
Wilson said that with pending changes that will require ballot referendums for future tax increases, the board must be more fiscally responsible.
“If we are reasonable with our spending, the taxpayer will be reasonable when they are asked to approve increases,” said Wilson. “I did this, just to get off the dime.
“We need to do something and this is a starting point.”