Majority of residents at hearing oppose building project

CATAWISSA RR - Fear is an emotion a majority of residents expressed during a three hour public Act 34 hearing Wednesday night concerning Southern Columbia Area's proposed $20 million building project.

"I'm scared," said Frank Berger, of Elyburg, in the midst of a crowd of more than 120 people in the high school auditorium - not including the school board and administration. "I'm scared to stand here tonight, and I'm scared for many people in this room tonight."

He wondered what would happen to his family and his business as his taxes will go up at local, state and federal levels during the nation's recession.

"I know you all realize we're in a recession," he said to the school board. "Two years ago when you started this plan, our economy was not where it is today."

The building project will provide classroom space, teacher space and a new gymnasium. Additionally, the fifth and sixth graders will be moved into the middle school with the seventh and eighth graders, which will create more space in G.C. Hartman Elementary Center for the special education and special needs students, who are bused to neighboring districts because of lack of space.

By bringing the students back, the district will not only save money, but SCA will be brought up to specs with the state and federal governments.

In order to pay for a 30-year bond from RBC Capital, the district has proposed a tax increase for three years, which the school board said will likely soften the blow. This decision though would not require a referendum on a voting ballot, an issue that a majority of the residents who spoke Wednesday said the board was purposely sidestepping.

"Not asking for that vote really angers me," said Berger. "It's wrong on so many levels that it deserves mentioning for the record."

"We come from a nation that was founded under the principles of democracy," said Ed Fransen, of Catawissa. "The most important thing is to vote, the one thing that we're not allowed to do, and yet it's our money."

Fransen also provided the school board with a petition of 150 signatures of people who were unable to attend the hearing, yet opposed the project.

"I want to put a human face on the ones who have one thing to lose and that is their home," he said. "It will happen. It will be a catastrophic loss to the elderly or the people who are scraping to get by."

The point was also made that the building project wouldn't be the only financial issue the district would have to handle.

There will likely a significant increase in what the district must contribute to the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS), not to mention the rising cost of living and salaries for employees.

Berger challenged the board to create a plan that would take care of each of those bills before the building project. He also challenged the administration to determine what could be built after those bills are paid and suggested the construction be put on hold until a full plan considering all factors was in place.

"Be fiscally conservative, plan for the worst and pray for the best," he said.

Not all residents though were against the building project.

Phil Myers, of Locust Township, said he has been convinced for a long time that the school was in need of additions and more classrooms, and needed to bring back the special education students into the district.

"Looking at these plans, I like what I see," he said. "I support it. I think you did a nice job at laying this out and it will be a good for the district."

Sally Myers, of Locust Township, an educator at the middle school, said the rooms are crowded.

"I don't want taxes to go up at all," she said, explaining she has her children's college funds to pay for and may have future grandchildren who would be handed the burden of the tax increase.

However, she said, "I want our children to be competitive, not only locally, but globally."

Additions to the middle school include seven classrooms, two science labs, three special education room, an art room, a computer room, an administration suite, a faculty IPC room, a cafeteria expansion, four restrooms and two faculty bathrooms. Renovations to the middle school include a special education emotional support room, two storage spaces and the existing high school gymnasium.

Additions to the high school include a gymnasium, a gymnasium storage room, two team rooms, two coach/PE offices, two referee locker rooms, a gymnasium lobby, two lobby restrooms, a concession stand, a ticket booth, a connection corridor/vestibule and a music/band/auditorium storage room. Renovations include a partial administration suite, a secured vestibule, a special education emotion support room and an auditorium lobby.

All plans are being handled by The Architectural Studios, of Allentown.