From: "John S. Grispon" <DISCOG@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: August 26, 2009 9:31:17 AM EDT
To: LIM-SF@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [LIM-SF] Spring-Ford and the state budget from Whatsthe422
Reply-To: "Limerick Township, PA & Spring-Ford Area School District"
<LIM-SF@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Local school directors’ frustrations over the budget deadlock in
Harrisburg were on display during Monday’s meeting of the Spring-
Ford Area School District.
A few board members called out their state lawmakers, without
exactly naming names. The General Assembly has failed to produce a
budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year - thus putting county social
services and education subsidies in jeopardy.
Mark Dehnert says he saw two state representatives at a golf outing
this summer (he didn’t mention who). Board President Donna Williams
says if Spring-Ford ever fails to approve its own budget by June 30,
then local directors must meet every day until a budget is agreed
upon.
“They could be on the beach in Avalon,” Williams said, referencing a
phone conversation another board member had with State Rep. Tom
Quigley (R-146th).
Vice President John Grispon also went the embarrassment route. He
would like to see the amount owed by Pennsylvania at the top of each
subsequent school board agenda.
“Just keep us informed - each agenda - what they owe us,” he said.
Of Spring-Ford’s $120 million budget for this school year, 17
percent (or just over $21 million) is expected to come from state
sources. Most revenue is generated locally through property taxes.
Grispon, who gives regular legislative updates, told his fellow
board members that the inexperience of recently-elected lawmakers is
contributing to this year’s deadlock. Under Gov. Ed Rendell,
Pennsylvania has yet to pass a consensus budget by July 1.
“Fumo used to get things done,” Grispon said, referencing convicted
felon and former Senator Vince Fumo.
“He’s going to jail now, but he got things done,” he said.
All kidding aside, Board Member Robert Weber asked how long the
district could get by without borrowing money, assuming the budget
impasse continues.
Business Manager Tim Anspach said the district can “take out a loan”
from it capital reserve account. Superintendent Marsha Hurda says
Spring-Ford is in much better fiscal shape than some other districts.
“We can meet our payroll for the next several months,” she said.
At the end of this discussion, the board unanimously approved an
addendum sponsored by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.
The resolution calls on the General Assembly to enact a budget that
“increases basic education funding by at least $300 million, keeps
PA on track for real education reform by maintaining the commitment
to the basic education funding formula, and maintains the state’s
investment in public education by not rolling-back state funds in
the basic education subsidy.”
Said Hurda on the situation in the state capital: “It could have a
very deleterious effect on our budget this year and in future years.”
John S. Grispon
discog@xxxxxxxxxxx
610-948-7655
