Taxpayers should ask questions at meeting

Published: March 2, 2010

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To the editor: Voters throughout the Southern Columbia Area School District are talking about the $20 million building project even when the payoff, 30 years later, is more than $33 million.

There are heated discussions on both sides of this proposal. In Region I, there are three directors; Mike Yeager is but one. All nine of our directors are listed on the school's Web site.

Voters should come to the Act 34 meeting, 7 p.m. Wednesday, and future school board meetings and arm yourself with facts, ask questions and be able to agree or disagree at the end of the discussion.

If you believe in the process, you have to believe that these directors will vote their conscience. I have to hope they have integrity and will base their vote on what they believe is best for the district and taxpayers ,not on any personal agenda.

Do they have an agenda? Open for debate.

Are they true stewards of our tax dollars? Open for debate.

Can the public change their minds? Again, open for debate.

Come to the meetings, stand and ask pointed questions that are on your mind.

I'd suggest that Act 1 is what really failed the taxpayers. Act 1 was created to keep runaway boards from force-feeding pet projects on their taxpayers. Changes to Act 1 must be legislated to trigger a referendum to address the different types of financial maneuvering done by local school boards. The Act 34 meeting is largely an informational forum, but you should attend. You can make comments but there are also provisions to input questions in writing.

Also, out into the future, the night the board will vote on accepting the bond is really the only big night voters could effectively provide comment and assert some pressure on the board as a concerned taxpayer.

I'd suggest some "light" reading on the Web, www.scolumbiasd.k12.pa.us, will bring you to our district Web site. Click on school board and go back and review the meeting minutes back to at least April 2008, with special note of Nov 16, 2009; the finance report will give you a snapshot of the potential debt increase if the PSERS rates would spike to 30 percent. It would break down to 6.12 mills in Columbia County and 9.41 in Northumberland County. That would result in a real estate tax of $248 for the average taxpayer residing in a $150,000 home in Columbia County and $306 for the average taxpayer residing in a $150,000 home in Northumberland County.

PSERS Web site today shows percentages for total employer contributions going from 4.78 percent in 2010 to 33.60 percent in 2015. This is a mandatory payment, no questions asked. The idea that these numbers might change is a great point, but that is a huge increase no matter how you color it. The state is struggling to fund not only their portion of the teacher pensions but all the state employees' pensions.

You can review Act 34 information at the district Web site or pick up copies at the district office. If you find that "fun," review our budgets; then go to www.sunshinereview.org and get everything you need to know about Act 1 and Act 34 but were afraid to ask. Next stop, PSERS.State.Pa.Us and go to the employers tab to begin to understand the tax burden coming right around the corner.

The state, like the district, can only make up a deficit by increasing taxes or downsizing existing spending. Go figure.

If you have questions, call our school directors and ask them.

Frank Berger

Ralpho Township

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