Dinniman's deal advances school voucher bill:

A bill implementing a school voucher system in Pennsylvania is headed to the floor of the state Senate with support from a Democratic state senator from Chester County who said he may not vote for the final bill without changes.

John D. Forester Jr.: School vouchers remain an idea that won't work:

Two weeks ago we looked at the new governor's dredged-up proposal to sell off the only portion of state government that actually makes money - the liquor stores.

Voucher Bill Won't Solve the Problem:

The American Jewish community has a proud tradition of fighting for equality, education and social justice, so it's no surprise that supporters of taxpayer-funded vouchers want to portray Senate Bill 1 as the "civil rights battle of our generation." They know how to appeal to us.

Pa. Lawmakers Join Corbett in School-Voucher Push:

Pennsylvania's new governor, Tom Corbett, says it's time to make good on his campaign promise to move toward school vouchers for Pa. parents. The issue of school vouchers has already come to the front of the class at the national level as House Majority Leader John Boehner introduced a school voucher initiative for the District of Columbia schools. In a press release Monday, Corbett proclaimed this week "Pennsylvania School Choice Week."

Vouchers siphon school resources :

Every child in Pennsylvania deserves the opportunity to learn and grow. At his inauguration last week, Gov. Corbett correctly stated that our "education system must contend with other nations." He is absolutely right - but his means of getting there couldn't be more wrong ("Corbett gets a wish list from conservatives," Tuesday).

EDITORIAL: Obituary For Public Schools:

A well-spoken op-ed from WGAL-TV President and General Manager Paul Quinn

Battle Brewing Over Proposed School Vouchers For PA:

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A face-off is taking shape over school vouchers in Pennsylvania. On one side are state lawmakers who claim vouchers would help low-income parents get their children out of failing schools and into a school of their choice. On the other side are those who say the idea amounts to abandoning public schools.

Jan. 20, 2011: Corbett Appears Set to Push School Vouchers:

HARRISBURG - The reference was a fleeting one, just 21 of 1,689 words in the new governor's sweeping inaugural message: "Our education system must contend with other nations and so we must embrace innovation, competition, and choice in our education system."

PSBA TROUBLED OVER CUTS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION:

STATEMENT

(July 1, 2011) -- The Pennsylvania School Boards Association appreciates efforts by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate to add additional money back into the final 2011-12 state budget for public education above the cuts originally proposed by Gov. Tom Corbett in March.

Media conference call: Taxpayer-funded Tuition Vouchers:

Topic: Taxpayer-funded tuition vouchers
Date: Jan. 20, 2011
Time: 2 p.m.

Muncy schools OK preliminary fiscal plan with no tax hike (Endless Mountains Region 12) :

The budget holds the line on taxes while including projects from last year that were delayed because of financial restraints, explained David Edkin, district business manager. The final budget will be adopted June 18. "I feel fortunate we are in the situation we are," Edkin said, noting other school districts in the state have had to cut positions and furlough employees due to lack of funding.

Selinsgrove School Board OKs fiscal plan with tax hike, teacher cuts (Susquehanna River Region 6) :

Taxes will rise 1.3 mills under the Selinsgrove Area School District's proposed final $35.96 million budget for 2012-13 that also includes eliminating 20 teaching positions. The proposed spending plan was unanimously approved Monday night by the school board. Adoption is set for June 25.

South Side plans no tax hike in preliminary $21.46M spending plan (Midwest Region 2) :

South Side Area School Board members voted last week to approve a preliminary budget that includes no tax increase for the 2012-13 school year. The $21.46 million spending plan would represent a 2.4% reduction from the $21.99 million 2011-12 budget, if adopted.

Two Council Rock contracts approaching end (BuxMont Region 11):

As two labor contracts covering 1,303 Council Rock School District employees approach their expiration dates, many district residents hope the administration, school board and the two unions can jigger new deals that are just the right blend of fair and fiscally reasonable.

Towanda proposes spending plan with property tax increase (Endless Mountains Region 12):

The Towanda Area School Board on Monday voted to put on public display the school district's proposed $22.9 million final budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year, which includes a proposed 1.2% increase in the school district's property tax and a proposed 2.4% increase in the school occupation tax.

Pa. education chief Tomalis talks of stress to system (North Central Region 4):

Pennsylvania's educational system is facing challenging times, Gov. Tom Corbett's lead man on the issue said at a luncheon hosted by the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County on Tuesday. Ron Tomalis, Pennsylvania's secretary of education, said a recession-dented state budget and the expiration of federal stimulus funds had created a financial crunch.

Mifflin County may vote to close another elementary (Central Heartland Region 5):

Mifflin County could lose another elementary school at the end of next school year. Administrators have proposed closing Union Elementary in Belleville next summer. Children from the Belleville area would attend Indian Valley Elementary in Reedsville in 2013-14.

Williamsport Area School Board OKs budget with staff cuts, tax hike (Endless Mountains Region 12) :

Previously facing a $5.4 million deficit, Williamsport Area School District presented - through staff cuts and a tax increase - a balanced budget at Tuesday's school board meeting. The board voted 8-1 to approve the budget, which included a .339 mill increase on property taxes. Business Manager Jeffrey Richards said the increase equates to an additional $32.59 for the owner of a property valued at $96,126 - the average property value for district boundaries.

26 Upper Darby School District employees take retirement incentive (Penns Grant Region 15) :

The Upper Darby School Board recently accepted the retirement requests of an elementary school principal, a supervisor, a librarian and 23 teachers at a recent meeting. Teachers, who worked for the district for a minimum of 18 years, were offered a retirement incentive of $15,000 deposited into their employee 403B retirement plan account, provided they submit their letter of intent by April 15.

State representatives affirm support for Octorara schools (Penns Grant Region 15):

Two state representatives spoke to the Octorara Area school board on Monday night, telling disgruntled board members that they appreciate their volunteer service and work to cut spending in a year in which the state has slashed spending on public education.

York schools seek donations to save sports, art, music (South Central Region 9) :

York City schools are seeking donations through their website to try to save some of the non-mandated programs that are being cut in next year's proposed budget. Sports, art, gym and music are among the programs the district has proposed cutting to help close a $19 million deficit. The district put a statement on their website to help attract donations through a Paypal link on the main page.

Mt. Pleasant Area School Board passes tentative spending plan (Southwestern Region 3):

Mt. Pleasant Area School Board adopted a proposed 2012-13 budget with a $737,159 deficit Monday. Revenues in the tentative spending plan were set at $28,940,000 with expenses at $29,677,159. Board President Robert Gumbita said, in is his opinion, the district will be able to balance the budget when the board votes in June.

Norwin School District proposes tax hike (Southwestern Region 3):

During a workshop meeting Monday night, Norwin School District directors proposed a preliminary budget for 2012-13 that includes a 1.45-mill property tax increase. Superintendent Bill Kerr said the administration worked hard to whittle its deficit from $2.9 million in March to $1.2 million in April, but a balanced budget could not be reached with cuts in funding and increased costs.

Richland eyeing lucrative deal for a former elementary property (Central Heartland Region 5) :

Richland School District could see $2.1 million - and more than $450,000 annually in valuable tax revenue - from its former elementary school property. The Ohio developer eyeing it sees The Shoppes at Theatre Square in its place. And at 180,000 square feet, the shopping plaza would lure national retail and restaurant chains not yet seen in this area, plans show.

Bethlehem Area taxes to rise nearly 5 percent (Mid East Region 8):

Taxes would rise nearly 5 percent under the Bethlehem Area School District's tentative 2012-13 budget that was approved Monday. The school board's 5-3 vote, with one absence, would have been reversed and the budget would have failed if the meeting had started on time, at 6 p.m.

Art, music programs could be spared in Jersey Shore (Endless Mountains Region 12):

Superintendent Richard Emery said during a budget update at Monday's school board meeting that as it stands the elementary art and music program would remain as is. He also said with enrollment numbers as they are the district would look to cut elementary teachers from 55 to 54 next year - the lone cut would be through attrition.

Lebanon administrators hopeful budget funding cuts will be restored (South Central Region 9):

Superintendent Marianne Bartley told the board of directors Monday night she is encouraged by recent news that the state Legislature favors restoring education funding that was stripped from Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed budget. When the board meets next week, it will vote to adopt a proposed final budget of $55.4 million that includes a property-tax increase of 5.43 mills, or 4.6%, which is needed to cover a deficit of about $321,000.

Daniel Boone School Board disagrees on fixing fiscal gap (Mid East Region 8):

The members of the Daniel Boone School Board can all agree that the district is entering a scary place financially. However, the best way to prepare for that continues to be hotly debated. The board is preparing to pass a tentative budget next week at its voting meeting that would include a 0.3168 mill property tax increase and $1.2 million from the general fund balance to help balance its $52.18 million budget.

No 'pot of gold' for Southern Tioga schools (Endless Mountains Region 12):

Even with the recently passed Senate version of the state budget proposing to add about $50 million for the previously zeroed-out Accountability Block Grant, what has been a tight budget for Southern Tioga School District remains so. There is no "pot of gold" at the end of the rainbow, according to district Business Manager Laura Perry.

Pocono Mountain School Board expected to vote on school closures (Mid East Region 8) :

After 5 months of preparation and warning, it comes down to one vote Wednesday. The Pocono Mountain School Board is expected to vote whether to close 3 buildings in the district and go ahead with a district-wide realignment plan. The plan would result in the elimination of nearly 280 jobs, including more than 142 teaching positions, according to the district's latest figures.

Tax hike looms in Hempfield (Southwestern Region 3):

The Hempfield Area School Board will vote next week on a preliminary budget that calls for hiking property taxes for the first time in 4 years. The increase is needed to help offset a $5.7 million budget deficit, although other cuts are looming to further reduce the shortfall. The school board voted unanimously on Monday to look at restructuring the district's entire curriculum, which could mean a reduction in the number of course offerings, consolidation of some classes and teacher layoffs.

Ligonier Valley weighs tax increase (Southwestern Region 3):

Ligonier Valley School District residents could see up to a 2% property tax increase. District board members passed a $26 million preliminary budget on Monday night that includes a 2-mill increase, bringing the levy on real estate to 75 mills. For the district's average taxpayer - those with homes with an assessed valuation of $16,700 - that's an increase of $33.70. One mill brings in about $168,000 to the district.

Dallas passes fiscal plan with tax hike (Northeast Region 7):

The Dallas School Board on Monday night unanimously approved a $32.9 million budget for the 2012-13 school year that includes an increase in property taxes. The approved budget for the 2012-13 school year totals $32,928,593. The spending plan does increase the millage rate on property from 11.5824 to 11.8052. A mill is $1 tax for every $1,000 in assessed property tax value.

For 1st time in 25 years, Westmont holds line on taxes (Central Heartland Region 5) :

For the first time in 25 years, taxpayers in the Westmont Hilltop School District will not see a tax increase. The school board on Monday unanimously approved a tentative 2012-13 budget of $19,724,544.

East Stroudsburg could join growing trend of schools with a 'pay to play' fee (Mid East Region 8):

Locally, East Stroudsburg is among the districts considering an activity fee. The district has proposed charging $100 per student in grades 7 through 12 to participate in any after-school activity, from sports to art and chess club. East Stroudsburg is considering the fee as a way to generate revenue to close a $10.2 million 2012-13 budget deficit.

Lake-Lehman to stay in Northeastern PA School Health Trust this year (Northeast Region 7):

The Lake-Lehman School Board will remain in the Northeastern Pennsylvania School Health Trust, but the district voted Monday evening to seek health care benefits elsewhere. Solicitor John Audi said the district will stay in the health trust this year, utilizing the organization's dental and vision insurance, which is "within its rights." The health trust is a consortium of school districts that use power in numbers to collectively purchase insurance.

Somerset Area School Board approves fiscal plan without tax hike (Central Heartland Region 5):

For the first time in approximately 5 years, the Somerset school board approved a budget without a tax increase. The preliminary $33.8 million budget holds millage at 39.5. It comes less than a month after the district approved a new 3 year agreement with the Somerset Area Education Association, which had been working nearly a year without a contract.

Conemaugh Township could be in for tax hike (Central Heartland Region 5):

Conemaugh Township Area school board unanimously approved a preliminary 2012-13 budget plan Tuesday that would raise taxes to help pay for an elementary school project now out for bids. While the proposed 3.67-mill tax increase depends on whether a construction contract is awarded, Tuesday's vote was another step toward that move - and one that would boost taxes 15% next year.

New Brighton budget includes tax increase (Midwest Region 2):

New Brighton Area School Board approved a $20.6 million preliminary budget for the 2012-13 school year that includes a small tax increase but no reduction in staff or programs, according to Superintendent David Pietro. The 1.3-mill tax increase, approved at Wednesday's business meeting, takes New Brighton's total to 54.6 mills. The owner of a house assessed at $50,000 will now pay a property tax of $2,730, an increase of $65.

Lancaster spending plan advances; would mean higher tax, teacher cuts (South Central Region 9) :

The 2012-13 proposed final budget approved by the board boosts taxes by 2.4% and calls for using $2.2 million from the district's reserves to help fill a revenue gap projected at $7.5 million next year. The tax hike would provide an additional $1.5 million in revenue, and the remaining gap would be filled through staff cuts and spending reductions.

Pittston Area School Board faces $1.3M deficit (Northeast Region 7):

The Pittston Area School Board on Tuesday night reviewed the preliminary final budget for the 2012-13 school year and is to spend the next 6 weeks filling in what ends up being an almost $1.3 million deficit before the final budget is due at the end of June.

Parents: Erie School District changes 'frustrating' (Northwest Region 1):

Amy Babinsack fully understands that the Erie School District has multimillion-dollar financial woes. But the Erie resident, who has 2 children at Harding Elementary School, 820 Lincoln Ave., is disappointed that long-range plans to reconfigure the district will force her children to attend classes elsewhere next school year.

Parkland School Board approves preliminary spending plan with tax increase (Mid East Region 8) :

Parkland school directors tonight signed off on a preliminary final budget that would raise taxes 3.67% in 2012-13. The board voted 7-0 in favor of the $137.8 million spending plan, which is $405,067 less than the 2011-12 budget, officials said. School directors David Kennedy and Barry D. Long were absent.

Lampeter-Strasburg School District looks to trim costs (South Central Region 9) :

Lampeter-Strasburg school officials last week discussed 2 ways to save the district more than $1.1 million in the 2012-13 school year. At a May 7 meeting, the school board learned it could put a significant amount - later determined to be more than $300,000 - back into the budget by bringing special-education students from Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 classes back into Lampeter-Strasburg.

Budget deficit could cost Harrisburg its kindergarten program (Susquehanna River Region 6) :

To help close next year's budget gap, school officials are looking to cut Harrisburg's kindergarten program and other programs the district is not lawfully required to provide. Even after implementing these cuts, the district still would face a multimillion dollar budget deficit next year.

Pa. Education Department defends its treatment of Chester Upland (Penns Grant Region 15) :

Lawyers for the state Department of Education began their defense Tuesday in a federal special-education lawsuit brought by the Chester Upland School District, saying that no law had been violated and that the district had done too little to solve its own problems.

Hollidaysburg Area School Board to decide elementary's fate (Central Heartland Region 5) :

Declining enrollment, outdated school buildings and financial stress has been a recipe for tough board decisions on closing school buildings. The Hollidaysburg Area school board will make a decision tonight on closing Allegheny No. 1 Elementary School at 1160 Municipal Dr., Duncansville.

Montgomery Area School Board OKs preliminary fiscal plan with tax hike (Endless Mountains Region 12):

The Montgomery Area School Board passed its preliminary budget with a tax increase of 0.28 mills for the 2012-13 school year. As of April 24, the budget deficit was $415,525, but the preliminary budget passed Tuesday night was balanced. In addition to the tax increase, the athletic fee was raised from $25 to $40. If 160 students pay the athletic fee, an additional $2,400 will be raised. A savings of almost $13,000 came from eliminating driver's education.

Daniel Boone board discusses bankruptcy risk (Mid East Region 8):

Although the Daniel Boone Area School District is still solvent with a fund balance of $3.4 million, board members discussed the risk of bankruptcy in 1 or 2 years if the district does not raise taxes to generate an additional $315,000 in revenues. The district's $52.1 million preliminary budget for the 2012-13 school year includes using $1.2 million from the reserve fund and an increase in the tax levy of .3168 mills to make up the $1.5 million budget deficit.

Tulpehocken school board lowers proposed tax hike (Mid East Region 8) :

The Tulpehocken School District is now considering a 0.25-mill tax increase for 2012-13, rather than a 0.4-mill increase it had discussed earlier. The increase is needed to balance a $26.7 million tentative budget, which the school board approved Tuesday with a 5-4 vote.

Teachers, staff members to be laid off at a Council Rock middle school (BuxMont Region 11):

5 teachers and some support staff members will be laid off after this school year at Council Rock's Holland Middle School, school district Superintendent Mark Klein said Tuesday in a letter to school parents.

Windber School Board OKs fiscal plan with maximum tax hike (Central Heartland Region 5) :

The Windber school board passed a $15.2 million preliminary budget Tuesday including a maximum tax hike. According to Superintendent Rick Huffman, this means an approximate 1.7-mill increase. The school board has been talking about a tax hike for months, citing a projected $1.7 million deficit.

Catasauqua Area School Board votes for tax increase (Mid East Region 8) :

The Catasauqua Area School Board has approved a budget proposal that calls for a 2.2% tax increase. The $25.5 million spending plan for 2012-13, if approved as a final budget, would raise taxes by 1.13 mills to 52.60 mills. A mill is one dollar of tax on every $1,000 of assessed property value. That means the owner of a home with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay $5,260 in school taxes in the coming school year, $113 more than this school year.

Upper Darby parents stepping up fight against special class cuts (Penns Grant Region 15) :

About 100 mothers, fathers, teachers and alumni were scattered in the pews to hear an update concerning their plans for the Upper Darby Township Council meeting on Wednesday, the school board budget meetings on May 23 and June 12, and a planned bus trip to Harrisburg, tentatively scheduled for June 6.

Exeter School Board proposes tax hike (Mid East Region 8):

With no major cuts to staffing or programs, the Exeter School Board voted 6-1 Tuesday to approve a $63.09 million tentative budget that would raise taxes 1.06% for the 2012-13 school year.

Elizabethtown school board taps reserves to balance finances (South Central Region 9) :

To balance next year's budget while keeping a tax increase below the state guideline, school board members in the Elizabethtown Area School District are dipping into the district's reserves to the tune of $1.1 million. But they can't keep doing that, one official warned.

East Penn OKs preliminary spending plan with tax increase (Mid East Region 8) :

East Penn school directors approved a preliminary budget Monday night that would raise taxes 1.89% in 2012-13. That translates to about $58 for the average school district homeowner, officials said.

South Eastern School District may charge activity fees (South Central Region 9):

South Eastern students may have to pay to play during the 2012-13 school year. The school board is close to adopting an activity fee, which the district would charge to any student who participates in extracurricular activities. As proposed, the fee is based on a tiered system ranging from $25 to $200. Students would pay $25 per club or other activity, such as music and drama. Those involved in athletics would pay $50 per sport.

Midd-West School Board votes to close schools, cut 30 staff (Susquehanna River Region 6):

District to also cut roughly 30 staff members; football boosters to pay additional funds for co-op - Midd-West School District will have two fewer schools next year. With a couple hundred people watching Monday, the Midd-West School Board voted to close West Beaver and Perry-West Perry elementary schools.

Rally held to urge Pittsburgh to keep teachers based on ability, not seniority (Pittsburgh Reg. 13):

With an unprecedented number of teacher layoffs expected in Pittsburgh Public Schools, A+ Schools - along with support from 9 other community organizations - led a rally Tuesday demanding: Keep Pittsburgh's best teachers. A+ Schools called on the school district and the teachers union, the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, to come up with a plan that would consider teacher effectiveness, not just seniority, in deciding which teachers get laid off.

PA school districts think outside the classroom to compete with charters (Regions 6, 11, 15):

As technology has advanced in the past decade, the concept of a classroom has changed dramatically. With the arrival of charter schools, the way was paved for their Internet-based equivalent, cyber-charter schools. Cyber schools established outside of brick and mortar establishments have seen growth in recent years, prompting the efforts put forth by Spring-Ford Area School District, Phoenixville Area School District, Boyertown Area School District and Pottstown School District.

Small tax hike planned for Palisades (BuxMont Region 11):

According to the preliminary budget, the average homeowner's property taxes would increase by between $26 and $35 in 2012-13, depending on whether the homeowner receives property tax assistance from state gaming money. At its meeting this month, the board voted 6-2 to approve the proposed $37.8 million budget for 2012-13.

East Allegheny approves $30.7M preliminary spending plan, holds taxes steady (Allegheny Region 14):

East Allegheny school directors on Monday night approved a $30.7 million preliminary budget for the 2012-13 school year that would hold real estate taxes at 27.54 mills, the same rate as this school year. Toni Valicenti, district business manager, said estimated expenses in the proposed budget are $30,743,016, and estimated revenues are $29,859,342.

Philadelphia leaders vow to preserve bilingual education despite financial woes (Region 10):

The School Reform Commission held a nonvoting session to discuss the district's efforts to improve programs for 13,000 "English-language learners," of whom 3,000 are immigrants. The district has budgeted about $35.6 million for around 300 teachers who specialize in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), said district spokesman Fernando Gallard.

Seneca Valley school board presented with dismal financial outlook (Midwest Region 2):

Seneca Valley school board members on Monday were presented with a financial outlook over the next 4 years that projects shortfalls going as high as $8 million. "We should be thinking long term this year," said district superintendent Tracy Vitale. The information distributed Monday showed the projected financial future of the budget assuming a 2% tax levy and a 1% increase value of a mill for each year.

Uniontown does away with several jobs (Southwestern Region 3):

A significant number of teachers, administrative staff and other employees will lose their jobs in the Uniontown Area School District if a tentative $39 million budget that holds the line on real estate taxes for the 2012-13 school year is adopted in June. The school board voted 5-1 Monday night to approve a tentative $39,071,698 spending plan that is lower than last year's $39,409,400 budget.

Central Dauphin furlough list is fluid, officials say (Susquehanna River Region 6):

In the wake of complaints that at least some Central Dauphin School District staffers received unexpected furlough notices by telephone, school officials said Friday that the list of who will be let go is fluid. Ford Thompson, president of the school board, said furlough lists are subject to change every day because of staff resignations and retirements.

Struggling Sto-Rox School District faces bleak choices (Allegheny Region 14) :

When Michael Panza became superintendent of the Sto-Rox School District this year, he quickly discovered the district was in the midst of an all-out financial trauma and his job would be to help the board perform triage to keep it alive. One wound was the loss of about $1.2 million in state funding this year, caused largely by the end of federal stimulus funds, and another was the district's special education costs beyond the state reimbursement.

Cyber schools pull in $2.9M from region's school districts (Susquehanna River Region 6) :

Data compiled by the Susquehanna Chapter of the Pennsylvania Heartland Coalition indicates that all public schools in Pennsylvania's 85th legislative district are paying $2.9 million to cyber schools to educate 363 students.

Shikellamy school board director fights millage hike (Susquehanna River Region 6) :

As of now, the Shikellamy school board will be raising property taxes by $32 to help make up a $1.1 million shortfall in the proposed 2012-13 general operating budget, but on Thursday, director Wendy Wiest said she doesn't agree with the increase and will do everything she can to avoid the hike.

Marple Newtown passes 2012-13 budget proposal (Penns Grant Region 15) :

With only two-thirds of its members present, the Marple Newtown School Board voted 5-1 to approve the 2012-13 proposed final budget of $68.1 million, with a corresponding tax increase of 0.62%. The figures are nearly a $1 million and 2% drop from the $69 million proposed preliminary budget and 2.67 tax increase approved in January.

Quakertown district eyes tax hike of less than 1% (BuxMont Region 11):

The Quakertown school board on Thursday approved a proposed 2012-13 budget that calls for a tax increase of less than 1%, or $35 more for the average homeowner. The $92.1 million proposed budget was approved in a 7-2 vote. The tax hike outlined is 1.33 mills or 0.95%. The final budget will be approved on June 14 and there could be further reductions between now and then.

Hazleton Area School Board meets in private over staffing (Northeast Region 7) :

After the meet adjourned, Director Steve Hahn confirmed that district personnel was the topic of the private meeting, and said the board is deliberating the staffing component of the 2012-13 budget, as confidentially as the Sunshine Law will allow in effort to spare employees the turmoil experienced last year in open deliberations.

Southmoreland School District looks for ways to reduce deficit (Southwestern Region 3):

While Southmoreland administrators have pared the school district's proposed budget by nearly $200,000, the board still must deal with a projected deficit of $752,908. Business manager Bill Salem told the board Thursday that money will come from the fund balance if no other cuts are made. The district straddles Westmoreland and Fayette counties. Salem said Fayette residents could see about a 0.3-mill increase this year and Westmoreland residents would see no tax increase.

District considers closure of five Reading schools (Mid East Region 8):

To help balance its 2012-13 budget, the Reading School District might close its four sixth-grade magnet schools and an elementary school, officials said Saturday during a special budget meeting. The school board is trying to balance the 2012-13 budget, which has a more than $40 million gap, plus an $11 million deficit from the current budget.

Springfield school board approves $65M financial plan with 2.7% tax increase (Penns Grant Region 15):

The school board approved the 2012-13 proposed final budget with a 2.7% increase, or about $110 more a year for the average assessed property. The tax rate will go from 27.975 mills to 28.730 mills. For the median assessed value of $145,890 (based on the total assessed value in Springfield and Morton), the rate calls for $4,191.

Upper Darby parents map out next move as debate over fiscal plan continues (Penns Grant Region 15):

Parents of children in the Upper Darby School District are continuing their efforts to reverse the decision of the administration and school board to eliminate specials at the elementary level and foreign language and technology in middle schools. At the conclusion of a 6-hour meeting last week, the school board voted to approve the tentative 2012-13 budget, which included reducing 64 staff members and the realignment of the curriculum.

Oxford residents will see 1.7% tax increase this year (Penns Grant Region 15):

Contrary to board member statements at the April school board meeting, it appears that residents will see a 1.7% tax increase this year. In April, the board nearly failed to pass the budget for the 2012-13 school year with several members opposing the tax increase and activities participation fees that were included in the preliminary final budget. To meet the district's expenses, they proposed using additional money from the reserves in the district's fund balance.

Haverford board OKs budget draft (Penns Grant Region 15):

The Haverford School Board unanimously adopted a proposed final budget for 2012-13 at last week's board meeting, with final adoption expected June 7. As previously reviewed, the $94.2 million budget requires a 2.7 percent tax rate increase, raising millage from 26.0209 to 26.7305 mills. Taxes on the average residential property assessment of $161,045 will be $4,305, a $114 increase over 2011-12.

Cyber school launch nets big savings for Derry Area (Southwestern Region 3):

School officials have calculated that the district has saved $97,739.55 by launching its own On-Line Learning Center this year as part of an eAcademy consortium operated by the Westmoreland IU.

Pittsburgh Public Schools' tab for building debt totals $58M (Pittsburgh Region 13):

Gladstone costs Pittsburgh Public Schools $137,110 a year in maintenance and debt payments - part of the $15.2 million that it spends on closed schools. The district will spend $58.4 million this year, or 11 percent of its operating budget, just to pay the debt for its buildings, which includes 16 schools that are closed and eight more buildings that it plans to close this spring.

West Shore budget includes 4.6% tax hike (Susquehanna River Region 6):

The West Shore School Board unanimously passed a proposed budget that will hit taxpayers in York County with a 4.6% property tax hike. The $93.6 million budget, which will be finalized next month, calls for a 0.54-mill property tax increase for West Shore families living in the York County portion of the district. The resulting 12.32-mill rate would represent an extra $81 in taxes for the owner of a home assessed at $150,000. West Shore's property tax limit was 1.7%.

Study: More Pa. schools charge fees for activities and sports:

An increasing number of school districts are charging fees for students to participate in athletics and various extracurricular activities, according to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. The PSBA said today that nearly one of three school districts that responded to a survey indicated they are charging "pay to play" fees. Of the 500 school districts in the state, 128 answered the survey. When the last survey was taken in 2010 13% of respondents said they charged the fees.

Philadelphia School District tells City Council of dire financial position (Philadelphia Region 10):

Appearing before a skeptical City Council on Tuesday, Philadelphia S D officials underscored the system's dire financial position and stressed the need for $94 million in new city money. Without that amount - contingent on Council adopting Mayor Nutter's plan to raise the money through property taxes - "it's almost an insuperable barrier for us," said Thomas Knudsen, the district's chief recovery officer.

Plum Borough School Board cuts programs to save money (Allegheny Region 14) :

Plum School Board members on Tuesday night agreed to eliminate the family and consumer science program at the junior high school and the driver's education program to help balance the 2012-13 budget. The cuts were part of a package to eliminate a $1.4 million projected deficit in the 2012-13 spending plan. Projected revenue in the 2012-13 budget projection is $54.4 million.

Mars Area OKs tentative budget (Midwest Region 2):

The Mars Area school board on Tuesday approved a tentative budget that holds the line on taxes but cuts staff. The $38,819,650.99 budget includes cutting two guidance counselors and two teachers and not replacing four retiring teachers: two in art, one in health and one in foreign language. Physical education and health will also be combined into one class.

Mt. Pleasant school board set to vote on spending plan (Southwestern Region 3):

Mt. Pleasant Area School Board is expected to adopt its 2012-13 budget next week, with expenditures at $29,677,159 and revenues at $28,940,000, resulting in a deficit of $737,159. Last year at this time, the proposed deficit the board faced was more than $3 million. The projected 2011-12 year-end fund balance for the district is $997,483.

East Lycoming OKs preliminary budget with tax hike (Endless Mountains Region 12):

East Lycoming School Board passed the 2012-13 proposed general fund budget of more than $21 million at Tuesday night's meeting. The budget has an increase of more than $1 million, or 5.03%, from the 2011-12 budget, David L. Maciejewski, business manager, said. To balance the budget, the real estate tax rate will increase to 11.78 mills for the upcoming school year, which is a 0.25-mill hike, or 2.17%, he said.

Montoursville Area School Board OKs preliminary no-tax-hike budget (Endless Mountains Region 12) :

Montoursville Area School Board Tuesday night unanimously approved a $26.4 million preliminary budget for next year that holds the line on real estate taxes. The spending plan reflects a nearly $1 million increase from last year. The larger budget, business manager Robert Saul explained, can be explained by increased costs for retirement and health care. The millage remains at 13.42.

Saucon Valley uses money from teacher cuts to buy buses (Mid East Region 8) :

Saucon Valley School District will use the money it saved by not replacing retired teachers to buy school buses and make improvements to its facilities. The school board approved a preliminary $40 million budget Monday night that includes $134,882 in salary and benefits for two teaching positions that won't be filled. The administration considered the money undesignated along with $60,663 for a retiring custodian who won't be replaced.

Shikellamy board ponders 2-mill tax increase (Susquehanna River Region 6):

A 2-mill property tax increase could be in the future for residents of the as Shikellamy school directors held a special meeting Tuesday night to work on a $1.1 million budget shortfall. Board members continued studying Director Jim Garman's plan of asking for a 10% reduction in service fees from the district's vendors. Garman is now asking the Central Susquehanna IU to lower its fees for some services.

Central Dauphin school employees wait for furlough notices this week (Susquehanna River Region 6) :

As budget constraints force the Central Dauphin School District to do more with less, the administration is figuring out how to eliminate 84 positions. Incoming Superintendent Carol Johnson said she can't yet share details of the process involving 74 teaching positions and 10 support staff being cut. In addition to cutting jobs, the school district plans to raise taxes 3.3% to deal with an $8.3 million budget shortfall.

Wilson Area School Board cuts proposed tax hike (Mid East Region 8):

The Wilson Area School Board unanimously approved a proposed final $34.5 million budget that calls for a 0.8% real estate tax increase for the 2012-13 school year. That's 1% less than what was proposed back in January when board members said they would have to scrape together $350,000 in savings to create a budget with no tax increase. It's also 1.3% less than the 2.1% potential tax increase allowed for Wilson Area by state law this coming year.

Fleetwood revised budget contains fewer job cuts (Mid East Region 8):

The Fleetwood School Board approved a tentative 2012-13 budget Tuesday night that took several jobs off the chopping block. The $37.8 million budget would raise the property tax rate 0.607 mill, about half the amount the district is legally allowed to raise it. The rate would be 28.227 mills, meaning the owner of a property assessed at $100,000 would pay $2,822.70 in school property taxes.

Boyertown tentative budget gets OK on 3rd vote (Mid East Region 8):

The third vote was the charm for Boyertown School Board members who finally passed a tentative 2012-13 budget 6-3 Tuesday. The $93 million budget still does not include administrative and support staff pay freezes, but Dr. Dion E. Betts, superintendent, announced at the beginning of the meeting that he will take a pay freeze. Board President Gwen W. Semmens added that the board is in discussions with principals and supervisors about also taking a pay freeze, but nothing has been decided.

Hatboro-Horsham School Board eyeing tax hike (BuxMont Region 11):

The Hatboro-Horsham School Board Monday night unanimously approved a preliminary 2012-13 budget that requires a 1.7 percent tax hike to bridge a slightly more than $1 million shortfall. The 1.7 percent increase is the maximum allowed under the state's Taxpayer Relief Act (Act 1). The increase would raise the current millage rate from 24.992 to 25.416.

Athens Area School Board adopts tentative spending plan (Endless Mountains Region 12):

At Tuesday's meeting of the Athens Area School District board of education, members adopted the tentative 2012-13 budget and passed resolutions setting proposed tax rates. The board's votes set the property tax rate at 46.41 mils, a 1.12-mil increase from the previous budget. The real property transfer tax rate, set at 1%, and the earned income tax rate, at 1.56%, remain unchanged from the current school year.

Tax hike proposed in spending plan for Gettysburg schools (South Central Region 9):

The Gettysburg school board has approved a proposed budget for 2012-13 that includes a 1.7% tax increase. The $52.9 million proposed budget was adopted on Monday and will be available for the public to view for 30 days before its final version is approved, with a vote scheduled for June 18. The board approved the budget in a 7-2 vote, with board members William Hewitt and Kathryn Hewitt voting against it.

Furloughs pegged to hit some Pittsburgh schools hard (Pittsburgh Region 13) :

At least 6 Pittsburgh elementary schools could lose more than 20% of their teachers under a plan to furlough teachers based on seniority, the district's superintendent said Wednesday. "We're going to furlough teachers," Linda Lane told the Tribune-Review in a meeting with reporters and editors. "If we do it strictly on a seniority basis, there's some outcomes we find highly undesirable."

Chester Upland tells of grim finances in federal court (Penns Grant Region 15):

Chester Upland S D officials, in federal court Wednesday hoping to receive assurances that they will have enough money to educate 700 special-education students this fall, painted a grim picture of the district's finances. District officials told U.S. District Judge Michael Baylson that Chester Upland will end up the year owing charter schools, vendors, and special-education providers about $29 million that it cannot pay.

Dauphin Cty. Technical School approves budget with lower tuition rates(Susquehanna River Region 6):

The Dauphin County Technical School's Joint Board approved a 2012-13 budget with lower tuition payments for its sending school districts, tech school business manager Maria Zaharick said Wednesday night. The budget was approved through mail ballots by the school board members of its 6 sending districts. Of those, Central Dauphin will pay $5.9 million; Derry Twp., $468,490; Halifax, $446,393; Lower Dauphin, $1.3 million; Middletown, $1 million; and Susquehanna Twp., $1.1 million.

North Pocono School District expecting 2.7 mill tax increase (Northeast Region 7):

Lackawanna County property owners in the North Pocono S D can expect a 2.7 mill increase for the 2013 fiscal year, based on the preliminary budget approved at Wednesday's school board meeting. The school board unanimously voted to pass a preliminary $42.99 million budget for 2012-13, an increase of 0.88%, or $367,700, compared to the 2011-12 budget. A mill is a $1 tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value.

Jeannette said to be doing better than expected financially (Southwestern Region 3) :

Despite cuts in state aid, low enrollment and a declining tax base, the Jeannette School District is managing better than the public perceives, the district's superintendent said. "We're looking at a year where we're doing better than we expected," said Superintendent Matthew Hutcheson, who joined the district in November. "In the foreseeable future, we are fiscally sound." By the end of 2013, the district will be in "an even better position than we are now," Hutcheson predicted.

Public joins Northern Cambria school board in battling fiscal deficit (Central Heartland Region 5):

When Northern Cambria school board members asked the public to attend a workshop Tuesday with ideas on how to fill a nearly million-dollar budget deficit, Dolly Sasway was among those who showed up. Sasway, a former board member who served 14 years in the elected post, told the board and more than 200 people at the workshop that the financial problems are not going away and it's time to consider closing the high school and housing all of the students in what is now the elementary-middle school.

Moon Area adds full-day kindergarten to preliminary budget (Allegheny Region 14) :

Moon Area School Board members announced several changes to the district's 2012-13 preliminary budget at their meeting Monday night. District spokeswoman Megan Edwards said the preliminary budget scheduled to go before a vote later this month will include full-day kindergarten.

Dallas School District's $32.9M spending plan includes 2.1% tax increase (Northeast Region 7):

Cost cutting, a small tax increase and careful financial management are the key elements of Dallas' 2012-13 budget, which the school board reviewed at Monday's work session. The $32.9 million balanced budget includes a potential $1.25 million in cuts, none of which are expected to affect students' education, district officials say.

Hempfield withdraws from regional purchasing deal aimed at saving money (South Central Region 9):

Hempfield School District has found a better deal elsewhere. The Hempfield school board on Tuesday approved a measure to withdraw from the Lancaster-Lebanon Public Schools joint purchasing agreement, which allows school districts to pool their resources and get lower prices on bulk supplies within Intermediate Unit 13.

Philadelphia unions, parents blast district's austerity plans (Philadelphia Region 10) :

A coalition led by parent groups and Philadelphia school employee unions Wednesday blasted the district's proposal to make drastic cuts and structural changes to balance its budget, saying they were shortsighted financial decisions that would ultimately hurt students.

Salisbury Twp. OKs preliminary spending plan with tax hike, staff cuts (Mid East Region 8):

Salisbury Township school directors Wednesday voted in favor of a preliminary final budget that will raise taxes 4.06 percent and cut three teaching positions in 2012-13. The 6-0 vote came after students, parents and teachers urged the board to reconsider moving forward with the $30,317,450 spending plan.

Juniata County says cuts to educational programs would be last resort (Central Heartland Region 5):

Even with 4.4% tax increase, $500,000 must still be slashed from budget by June 30 - This school year, the Juniata County S D has cut more than $2 million from its budget without affecting educational programs. In fact, a few came back. At the beginning of the year, kindergarten was cut to a part-time schedule; and those who participated in athletics and other extracurriculars were burdened with paying the entire cost of the programs.

Reading schools finances not so dire, officials say (Mid East Region 8) :

The budget outlook in the Reading School District isn't good, but it's not quite as bad as originally advertised, district officials said Wednesday night. The Reading School Board held a public budget meeting at Reading High School, providing the dozens of parents, teachers, students and others who attended an update on the 2012-13 budget and a chance to speak about potential cuts.

Oley Valley passes preliminary spending plan that includes tax hike, job cuts (Mid East Region 8) :

The Oley Valley School Board passed a tentative budget for the 2012-13 school year Wednesday night, but board members are still looking for any possible places to cut. "I will support this tonight, but I am not pleased with certain aspects of the budget," board member Ralph C. Richard said. "We still have some work to do, but we'll get the proposed budget on the docket as we move to get a final budget."

Erie might use furlough days and implement teacher wage freeze to cut deficit (NW Reg. 1):

Erie School District officials didn't secure a teacher wage freeze last year, but Superintendent Jay Badams believes one could help the district cope with its financial crunch. Badams is also hoping to institute 4 unpaid furlough days for all district employees to chip away at a projected $10 million to $12 million deficit heading into the next school year. A freeze would save the district roughly $2 million and the furlough days would save about $1 million, Badams said.

North Pocono School Board examining $11.7 million renovation project (Northeast Region 7) :

The North Pocono School Board is mulling an $11.7 million renovation project that will fix problems officials say are critical, despite a distinct possibility that the district will not receive any reimbursement from the state. District Superintendent Bryan McGraw said the schools have high-dollar, necessary needs that can't wait another year. The proposed renovation project discussed at Tuesday's work session would address needs of the district for the next 20 to 30 years, Mr. McGraw said.

Homeowners in Northern Lebanon face 5.2% tax hike (South Central Region 9) :

With little discussion, the Northern Lebanon School Board tentatively adopted its general fund budget for the 2012-13 school year. The motion passed 8-1, with member Dale Snader in opposition. Snader had previously spoken against the budget due to the amount of tax increase being levied on district taxpayers. The budget includes a 4.51 mill, or 5.2%, increase over this year's tax rate. The total budget would be $32.2 million.

Catasauqua school board to vote on proposed spending plan (Mid East Region 8):

Catasauqua Area School Board will vote next week on whether to adopt a proposed final budget for the 2012-13 school year containing a 2.2% property tax increase. The board agenda established at Monday's workshop for the school board meeting calls for the adoption of a proposed final budget containing $25,538,970 in general fund expenses and a 1.13-mill property tax increase to 52.6 mills.

Tamaqua Area OKs tentative budget (Mid East Region 8):

With no increase in taxes, the Tamaqua Area School Board tentatively approved the district's 2012-13 budget in a special meeting Tuesday. Property taxes will not increase, but programs and staff will decrease. A transfer of more than $600,000 from the district's fund balance to the general fund was also needed to balance the fiscal plan.

Pine-Richland plans tax hike, teacher cuts in fiscal plan (Allegheny Region 14):

Pine-Richland school directors are weighing a proposed final budget that includes a 2% tax increase as well as reductions in the physical education, music and art programs and elimination of the high school's child development program. The proposal was presented Monday night by Pine-Richland budget director Dana Siford. Dozens of parents and students who are concerned about the impact of the changes attended.

Moon Area may add full-day kindergarten (Allegheny Region 14):

Moon Area school directors Monday instructed administrators to include funds for full-day kindergarten in the preliminary budget for 2012-13. A vote on whether to add full-day kindergarten is expected May 21, which is also when the budget is scheduled for consideration. If full-day kindergarten is added, some of the furlough notices received by 10 teachers last month may be rescinded.

Shaler Area school board mulls spending plan (Allegheny Region 14):

Shaler Area school board spent much of its work session tonight discussing the 2012-13 proposed preliminary budget and the $846,854 difference between revenues and expenditures. Currently, expenditures are set at $71,657,993. Of concern to school board members was the $1 million increase in special education instruction. Mary Lou Dixon, James Fisher and Jeanne Petrovich asked administrators for justification for the jump.

Op-Ed: Easton teachers, school board putting off tough decisions (Mid East Region 8):

Even with the 1 year pay freeze taken by most employees in the Easton Area School District this year, there's only one way to categorize the current and future economic outlook of the district. It's still a train wreck. The pileup is smaller because teachers agreed to defer and spread out what would have been 12.5% average pay increases for 2011-12 into a 2 year contract extension - yet today the school board is looking at laying off 75 employees for 2012-13, including 40 teachers.

Downingtown school board OKs proposed spending plan (Penns Grant Region 15) :

The school district's Board of Directors voted on a proposed final budget, which includes a 1.96% tax increase, during Wednesday night's monthly meeting. The proposed property tax increase could be reduced if the board is notified of funds returned to the district from the state, specifically the Accountability Block Grant, resulting in a decrease to 1.7%. The final vote on the budget and a tax increase must occur by June 30.

Saint Clair school board approves proposed budget (Mid East Region 8) :

The Saint Clair Area school board approved a proposed general budget fund Wednesday for the 2012-13 school year in the amount of $10,533.683. "We're not looking at cutting programs," said Superintendent Kendy K. Hinkel. "We will probably end up about $900,000 apart in the end, but we have general fund to cover that and that's a worse-case scenario."

Upper Darby OKs preliminary approval to cuts after angry residents air concerns(Penns Grant Reg. 15):

The Upper Darby School Board played to a packed crowd Tuesday, almost filling the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center for its regular meeting. After hours of debate the board voted 5-3 in favor of the proposed budget. The school board actually voted on 2 items after getting an earful from citizens who spent several hours beseeching them to vote down the cuts. In the wee hours, the board finally OK'd the tentative budget and the resolution to curtail programs and reduce staff.

Pottsville Area School District to hold line on taxes for 7th year in a row (Mid East Region 8):

For the 7th consecutive year, Pottsville Area school board has avoided a tax hike. "It's quite an accomplishment. A fine job," school board President John F. Boran said after the board unanimously approved the district's tentative budget for the 2012-13 school year at the board's workshop session Wednesday night. "It's a real team effort," said Superintendent Jeffrey S. Zwiebel.

Weatherly Area school board holds line on taxes, avoids cuts (Mid East Region 8):

Weatherly Area school directors on Wednesday approved a tentative 2012-13 budget that includes no increase in taxes, no cuts in staff or programs, and no further salary freezes for staff and administration. "I'm very pleased that it looks like we won't have to increase taxes or eliminate any programs," board President John Toft Jr.

Bermudian Springs School District officials plan tax hike (South Central Region 9) :

Bermudian Springs officials are planning to use a 2.3% property tax increase and a series of money-saving measures to balance the district's 2012-13 budget. If all goes as planned, property taxes will rise by 0.2246 mills to a rate of 9.9922 mills, said district Superintendent Shane Hotchkiss. The increase would raise school taxes by about $45 a year - from $1,954 to $1,999 - for the owner of a $200,000 home.

West Mifflin Area's early budget would raise taxes (Allegheny Region 14):

West Mifflin Area School District introduced a preliminary 2012-13 budget Thursday night that, if passed next week, would increase the property tax rate by 0.55 mills. The increase would cost taxpayers an extra $38 on a home assessed at $68,000 - the median home value in the borough. The total millage would be 23.54 mills. The $43.7 million spending plan is still out of balance by about $1.5 million.

Bristol Borough faces difficult financial decisions (BuxMont Region 11):

Bristol Borough School District's financial problems are snowballing year after year, and a long-term plan is needed to avoid always being in survival mode, school board President Ralph DiGuiseppe said. Thursday night, the 9-board member will have the difficult task of figuring out the best way to close an $898,968 deficit in the 2012-13 school year. Throw in the mix that the teachers' contract is up in August, and the outcome could lead to more expenses and cuts for the small district.

New Hope-Solebury homeowners might see $80 tax hike (BuxMont Region 11):

Homeowners in the New Hope-Solebury school district might see an $80 tax hike. At its meeting Monday night, the school board unanimously approved the $34.6 million proposed budget for the 2012-13 school year. Under the plan, next school year’s budget includes a 1.7% tax hike for New Hope-Solebury homeowners.

Harrisburg School District reduces bus stops (Susquehanna River Region 6):

Harrisburg transports 984 students daily to 22 private and charter schools in and outside the city. By reducing the number of bus stops for those students from 24 to seven, the district will shave 140 miles from its daily transportation routes and save Harrisburg about $42,000 annually, said Brendan Murray, a member of the school board.

Central Dauphin prepares for reactions to furloughs (Susquehanna River Region 6):

A chain reaction will begin at Central Dauphin S D today when nearly 84 employees, including at least 70 teachers, learn that their positions have been eliminated, district officials said. The employees, who are losing positions because of budget constraints in the state's 14th largest school district, have been advised to visit the district's human relations office to learn about their options. There is no severance package for anyone affected by furloughs, district officials said.

Sto-Rox considers staff cuts to offset shortfall in $23.9M fiscal plan (Allegheny Region 14):

The Sto-Rox school board will consider a $23.9 million preliminary 2012-13 budget that holds the line on taxes but calls for the elimination of 19 jobs, including 7 teachers, the high school dean of students and four paraprofessionals.

Gateway School District lays out budget (Allegheny Region 14):

Gateway School District administrators laid out a preliminary 2012-13 budget Monday night that would maintain educational programs, avoid furloughs and raise taxes by no more than .83 mills. But the proposed plan still leaves the district with a $1.6 million shortfall.

Palmyra budget calls for 2.1 percent tax increase (South Central Region 9):

Keeping Palmyra Area School District's real estate tax hike within its 2.1% state spending limit means cutting middle school exploratory languages, elementary swimming lessons and an extra art teacher position. The $40.3 million 2012-13 budget given preliminary approval by the school board Thursday by a 7-1 vote represents an increase in spending of 2.8%.

Philadelphia School District chief financial officer Masch is leaving post (Philadelphia Region 10) :

Michael Masch, the financial guru backed by ex-Gov. Rendell who was sidelined as chief financial officer of the beleaguered Philadelphia School District earlier this year when the School Reform Commission overhauled its leadership structure, will leave his job in three weeks, officials said Thursday night.

Retirements ease Portage's finances (Central Heartland Region 5):

More than 10 percent of the teachers who work in Portage Area School District won’t return for the 2012-13 school term. The administration plans to replace only about seven of the retirees. The staff cuts through attrition will bring the teaching staff number to 70 1/2, according to an $11.5 million budget tentatively approved by the school board.

Annville-Cleona School District taxes could rise 2.1% (South Central Region 9):

The average homeowner in the Annville-Cleona School District would pay about $47 more per year in property taxes if the preliminary budget discussed Thursday night is approved. The proposed $19,854,382 million budget includes a 2.158-mill increase in the millage rate, a 2.1% rise. The new rate will be 104.918 mills. The state-mandated index for the district is 2.1%. The budget is $668,895 more than the current $19,185,487 budget, a 3.5% increase.

Stroudsburg Area School District closes fiscal gap (Mid East Region 8) :

Stroudsburg Area School Board members said it was a painful process, but they've come up with a preliminary budget that closes a nearly $10 million deficit. Close to 60 positions would be cut from the budget. The proposed 2012-13 budget proposes taking $2.6 million from the fund balance and raising taxes by 1.27 mills, a less than 1 percent increase over last year's rate, said Business Manager Don Jennings.

Midd-West School Board to decide on closing schools or cutting programs (Susquehanna River Region 6):

On Monday, the Midd-West School Board will have to make the final decision to either close two elementary schools or cut programs. This week, the school board met for a final workshop to review the three options presented by administrators.

Lewisburg School District deficit rises to $599,000 (Susquehanna River Region 6):

There was music in the air courtesy of various talented Lewisburg students performing at Thursday night's school board meeting. Unfortunately, the notes turned sour when Superintendent Mark DiRocco presented his latest budget scenarios and revised master facilities plan. The projected school budget deficit rose from about $403,000 to about $599,000 after DiRocco took out accountability block grant funds that he believes schools will not get for the 2012-13 school year.

Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board looks at teacher demotions to save costs (Penns Grant Region 15):

The Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board will consider economic strategies, including demoting the district's most experienced teachers, to help close a budget gap. The school district's finance committee met Monday to discuss these strategies and listen to public comments.

Northwest, Lake-Lehman leave trust to save money (Northeast Region 7) :

Northwest Area S D is joining Lake-Lehman S D in taking the first step necessary to withdraw from the Northeast Pennsylvania Health Trust, Superintendent Ronald Grevera said. The decision follows a meeting Tuesday hosted by Lake-Lehman Superintendent Jim McGovern. Facing a severe cash crunch, McGovern aggressively looked for alternative insurance coverage and said he found plans that could save $1.1 million in the first year. Grevera said Northwest Area's possible savings are similar.

Tax decision in Camp Hill S D could come at board's June vote (Susquehanna River Region 6):

Taxpayers in Camp Hill might see their school district property taxes increase by as much as 3.3%. They might not. Here's the problem: The school board doesn't plan on telling anyone until it's too late. That is because there are still too many unknowns, Superintendent David Reeder said. A big one is the teachers' contract, which is under negotiation. The current contract ends in June, and more negotiations are scheduled this month.

Upper Darby has company: Tough times in Delco school districts (Penns Grant Region 15):

Despite a small increase in education funding from the state for the 2012-13 fiscal year, many Delaware County school districts are being forced to cut programs, raise taxes or both.

South Eastern furloughs teachers, eyes tax hike (South Central Region 9):

Balancing South Eastern's 2012-13 budget would be much easier if state government funded its fair share of public education, district officials are saying. The district recently announced the furlough of 17 teachers and a real estate tax hike of 1.7%. Both moves could have been prevented if the state would not have taken away funding, the school board said.

Proposed cuts lead to finger pointing in Neshaminy (BuxMont Region 11) :

Another year, another round of potential program cuts in Neshaminy. With a projected budget deficit of about $14 million for the 2012-13 school year, the district unveiled a list of recommended cost-saving measures last week. The one that has garnered the most attention is the closure of the alternative school,

Pottstown school budget reaction echoes state debate (BuxMont Region 11) :

As was reported in Thursday's Mercury, the $52 million budget proposal includes no money for raises for any employees but also cuts no educational programs. The budget proposal represents a 1.8% increase in spending and calls for a 2.4% tax hike to help cover those costs. The budget, as it now stands, would increase taxes by .8834 mills to 37.6934 mills, which means an annual increase of $63.60 for property assessed at $72,000.

Southern York County eyes tax hike (South Central Region 9):

The Southern York County School District released its proposed final budget of $47.5 million, which calls for a tax hike just below 2%. The district was facing a $1.1 million budget gap but has found several ways to balance the budget. Some of these include using $1.4 million from the fund balance, a 1.96% tax increase and $900,000 in spending cuts.

No new taxes in Saucon Valley spending plan (Mid East Region 8):

The Saucon Valley School Board passed the district's 2012-13 draft budget tonight, a budget that includes no change to millage for the 4th year in a row. The budget is $40 million, and the district will tax at a rate of 51.74 mills, the same as the 2011-12 school year. 3 positions, including a 4th and a 6th grade teacher, will not be filled in addition to a custodian. In total, there will be $195,545 in savings from not replacing the 3 vacancies, according to uperintendent Sandra Fellin.

Midd-West leans toward school closures to cut $1.8M gap (Susquehanna River Region 6) :

It seems likely that two Midd-West elementary schools will be closed by next school year, as administrators and board members weighed their options during a work session Monday night in an effort to eliminate a $1.8 million budget gap.

Milton likely to raise taxes, lay off teachers, cut $60,000 from athletics (Sus. River Region 6):

The Milton Area School District is facing major budget cuts that will likely force the school board to raise taxes, lay off five teachers and a resource officer and cut $60,000 from the sports budget. Charged with closing a $736,339 budget deficit, the school board's finance committee met Monday to consider 3 scenarios.

Scranton School Board votes to permanently close an old elementary (Northeast Region 7):

Students have seen the last of John Audubon Elementary. Despite passionate pleas from parents, the school board voted 8-1 to permanently close the school, which has been shuttered since October 2010 because of mold. Costs for reopening Audubon ranged from $7.9M for a complete renovation to $17M for a new school at a site other than the present Colfax Avenue and Mulberry Street site. District officials estimate they will save $800,000 a year with the consolidation.

Wilson approves $87M tentative spending plan that would require 2% tax hike (Mid East Region 8) :

The Wilson School Board on Monday approved an $87 million tentative budget that would require a 2% tax hike. The vote was 5-2. The budget doesn't require layoffs, furloughs or any program cuts, said Diane J. Richards, director of finance and support services. To balance the budget, Wilson needs to use $525,000 from reserves to cover higher pension contributions.

Pittsburgh Public Schools to base layoffs on teachers' effectiveness (Pittsburgh Region 13) :

No one disputes that this fall will be a year of unsought change as Pittsburgh Public Schools battles a projected deficit. About 1 in 4 classroom teachers won't be back in the same school as staffs are reduced and class sizes are increased. Nearly 1 in 6 classroom teaching positions will be eliminated, leading to what is likely to be an unprecedented number of layoffs, depending on how many teachers retire or resign.

Upper Darby parents to rally again against proposed class cuts (Penns Grant Region 15):

Parents, students, teachers and alumni will rally tonight with a peaceful protest against the planned cuts prior to the Upper Darby School Board regular May meeting. The administration's plan is to realign the specials of art, music, physical education and library at the elementary level and incorporate them into regular classes and eliminate foreign language and technology for middle school students at a cost savings of $4 million and 57 teacher cuts caused an uproar in the community.

York school board hears proposal to balance finances with deep cuts (South Central Region 9) :

A proposal given to the York City School Board Monday night would eliminate kindergarten, all sports, art, music and make other cuts in order to help balance the district's 2012-13 budget. The city district has been working to close a $19 million budget deficit for next year. A proposal given to the board in April called for major cuts. On Monday, the board heard the need for more.

Donegal says new high school will be ready for fall (South Central Region 9):

Superintendent Susan Ursprung announced elatedly that contractors have worked feverishly since a March fire to finish most construction and repair the fire damage in time for fall classes. Ursprung said an auxiliary gym that sustained damage from the fire - estimated to have caused between $1 to $2 million in damage - might be completed as well, but the main gym, which took the brunt of the fire, will not be completed until November.

Palmyra school board goes paperless (South Central Region 9):

Palmyra school directors opened their workshop meeting on Thursday with laptop computers in front of them instead of piles of papers. The meeting marked the debut of the paperless meeting for the board. "I'm really excited about it. Going green is something important to me, and we're cutting money out of the budget," board member Sheila Hoffer said. She estimated the district would save about $15,000 this year on printing documents for the board meetings.

Solanco property owners to pay more in real-estate tax (South Central Region 9) :

Solanco board members voted Monday evening to advertise the proposed 2012-13 budget, which will be adopted officially at the June 11 meeting. The proposed $47.5 million budget includes a 0.3743 mill hike in real-estate taxes. That translates to a $37.43 increase for every $100,000 of assessed property value. Based on the average property assessment of $154,051, the owner of an "average" Solanco property will pay $57.67 more.

Pocono Mountain school board drops athlete physical payment requirement plan (Mid East Region 8) :

The district last week dropped a plan that would have required student-athletes to pay for their own state-required physicals. The move would have saved the district about $28,000, a sum that wasn't enough to convince school board members to cut the service. "It doesn't move any dial on the meter," board member George Strunk said as the district continues to look for ways to cut in to about $400,000 of a budget deficit. "There are many, many larger fish to fry in this budget."

Stroudsburg considers advertising inside school buses (Mid East Region 8):

Parkland S D officials in Allentown recently approved advertising on the interior of 46 of their school buses, a move expected to raise $150,000 in the first year. Since Parkland approved the ads in February, "many, many" school districts have called seeking information about its advertising policy, said district spokeswoman Nicole McGalla. Stroudsburg Area S D is one of those exploring the possibility.

Dallas School District's $32.9M spending plan includes 2.1% tax increase (Northeast Region 7):

Cost cutting, a small tax increase and careful financial management are the key elements of Dallas' 2012-13 budget, which the school board reviewed at Monday's work session. The $32.9 million balanced budget includes a potential $1.25 million in cuts, none of which are expected to affect students' education, district officials say.

Bethlehem stadium bid repairs have been received (Mid East Region 8):

A majority of the board wants to move forward with $612,176 of structural repairs to the stadium's steel support columns and to replace two retaining walls around the stadium. School Director Bill Burkhardt said the work is not going to get cheaper. "It's a project that's not going to go away," he said. Superintendent Joseph Roy said the stadium has not yet reached a point where it is unsafe but it the repairs are ignored it could.

Ridley School District spending plan calls for 3.29% tax hike (Penns Grant Region 15) :

Ridley School District taxes will be going up 3.29%, according to the proposed final budget for 2012-13 approved Monday night by school directors. The total millage rate will be 38.250 mills, or $3.83 for each $100 of assessed property value. For a property assessed at the average in the district of $103,000, the tax increase will amount to about $121 a year. Final approval of the budget will be 7:30 p.m. June 11.

Proposed State College tax increase smaller than in past (North Central Region 4) :

State College Area S D residents should see their real estate taxes increase, but not as much as previously expected, under the district's proposed budget for 2012-13. A cheaper-than-expected health insurance plan allowed Business Administrator Jeff Ammerman to present a plan calling for a 2.4% tax increase, or 36.85 mills, down from 37.73 mills, or a 3.3% increase, which was proposed in the initial budget months ago.

Hampton Township school board approves budget with no tax increase (Allegheny Region 14) :

At a brief voting meeting held before the work session Monday night, Hampton Township school board unanimously approved the 2012-13 proposed final budget with no millage increase. The $456,903 gap between revenues and expenditures will be funded with $151,000 from year two of the districts PSERS stabilization fund and $305,903 from the unassigned fund balance.

Jeannette City spending plan calls for tax hike, dip into surplus (Southwestern Region 3):

The Jeannette School Board plans to present a balanced $17.3 million budget later this month that would require a small tax hike. "We have put together a balanced budget," said Matthew Hutcheson who has been superintendent since November. The board, looking for ways to reduce expenses, asked administrators to make cuts to their budgets as directors looked at a series of measures to save money.

Penn-Trafford school board tentatively OKs spending plan that calls for tax increase (SW Region 3) :

Penn-Trafford school directors on Monday tentatively approved a preliminary 2012-13 budget that calls for a 1.6-mill increase. The current 73.25 levy on real estate would increase to 74.85 mills and paired with $251,071 from the fund balance, resulting in a nearly $48 million budget. Superintendent Thomas Butler said during a presentation to the board at last night's meeting that 19 positions will be eliminated, mainly through attrition.

Northern Cambria seek suggestions on how to close $1M shortfall (Central Heartland Region 5):

Facing a 2012-13 budget shortfall of nearly $1 million, Northern Cambria School District officials are reaching out to district residents for suggestions as they consider a 5 mill tax increase and other options.

Mechanicsburg expected to boost number of fundraisers (Susquehanna River Region 6):

The school district, like many others around the state, is grappling with declining state and federal revenues. Many districts are turning to programs cuts and teacher and staff layoffs to balance their increasingly out-of-kilter budgets. In Mechanicsburg, the district is considering requiring sports and activities clubs that receive $1,000 or more of their operating costs from the district to kick in 10% of those costs. So the district may allow clubs to hold more fundraisers.

Incentive package nets retirees and savings for Connellsville district (Southwestern Region 3) :

It appears a one-time retirement incentive offer to the Connellsville Area Education Association (CAEA) attracted 26 candidates. During the school board work session on Monday, Dr. P.J. Carte, director and chairman of the personnel and review committee, said that the district savings will be about $90,000 for each position not filled and $40,000 for those teachers who are replaced.

Central Dauphin hires superintendent; votes to eliminate 84 jobs (Susquehanna River Region 6) :

On Monday night, the school board went in a different direction in unanimously voting to name Carol Johnson, a longtime district employee, as its 6th superintendent in 16 years. Johnson will lead a district dealing with a $155M preliminary budget that furloughs 84 of the district's 1,698 employees, raises taxes by 3.3%, reduces middle-school cheerleading, basketball and other sports, and eliminates programs ranging from kindergarten music to 8th-grade foreign language classes.

Shade-Central mulls activity, parking fees to boost revenue (Central Heartland Region 5):

The Shade-Central City school district may soon follow in the footsteps of several other local schools by charging students activity and parking fees. The school board is considering $25 fees for sports and parking respectively to help boost revenue for the district. Rising retirement costs and declining enrollment have caused financial worries for administrators while planning this year's budget.

Special-education proposal could ease tax hike, Gov. Mifflin administrators say (Mid East Region 8):

The $62.12 million tentative budget the board approved last month would raise the property tax rate 0.8 mill. But that increase could likely be reduced without the district having to make major cuts because of two proposals to bring special education students now schooled outside the district back to Mifflin, Business Manager Mark R. Naylon said.

Hatboro-Horsham School Board eyeing tax hike (BuxMont Region 11):

The Hatboro-Horsham School Board Monday night unanimously approved a preliminary 2012-13 budget that requires a 1.7% tax hike to bridge a slightly more than $1 million shortfall. The 1.7% increase is the maximum allowed under the state's Taxpayer Relief Act (Act 1). The increase would raise the current millage rate from 24.992 to 25.416.

Philadelphia school official says without more cash, classrooms might not open in fall (Region 10):

The Philadelphia School District's financial situation is so dire that without a $94 million cash infusion from a proposed city property-reassessment plan, schools might not be able to open in the fall, leaders said Tuesday night.

Admiral Peary vo-tech school reduces expenses for member districts (Central Heartland Region 5) :

The spiraling cost of education - including vocational education - prompted a longtime member of the Admiral Peary Vocational Technical School to seek an alternate, and the result is reduced costs for many.

Central Valley eliminates 6 positions as it works on reducing deficit (Midwest Region 2):

The Central Valley School District, working to reduce a $1.2 million deficit in the 2012-13 preliminary budget, will eliminate six positions, including one teaching position, Superintendent Dan Matsook said. The positions include three paraprofessionals, two custodial workers and a part-time music position. The Central Valley School Board approved the cuts after an executive session at its April 19 business meeting.

Wallingford-Swarthmore sees 2% tax hike (Penns Grant Region 15):

Once again sounding the alarm over pension costs, Wallingford-Swarthmore S D officials warned expenses in that area are set to soar in the next several years unless the trajectory is somehow altered. The result will include the wiping out of the district's budgetary reserves and tough decisions on how many teachers can be employed and which programs can be preserved.

Erie School Board to vote on closing three schools (Northwest Region 1):

In early April, Erie schools Superintendent Jay Badams proposed closing the 3 schools to save an estimated $4 million for the next school year. That money would largely be used to deal with a $10 million projected deficit going into the new school year. The money saved is mostly salaries and benefits, Badams said. He hopes the district can avoid layoffs by not filling positions left open by retiring employees.

Oley looks to spend reserves to fill budget deficit (Mid East Region 8):

The Oley Valley School Board got some bad budget news Tuesday. "I have here where we think we'll be at the end of the year and it's not pretty," Business Manager Tracy Detwiler said. She noted the 2011-12 budget included $700,000 from the fund balance and it looks like the district will end up spending all but $58,000 of that.

Tulpehocken facing higher retirement costs (Mid East Region 8):

Increases in retirement-plan costs mean the Tulpehocken School District will either need to hike taxes or dip into its savings to balance the 2012-13 budget, school board members learned Tuesday. The retirement increases will add about $232,000 to the budget, Business Manager Thomas L. Kowalonek said. Those extra costs could be nearly made up with 0.4-mill increase, which would bring in about $218,000, he said.

East Stroudsburg's proposed $100 activity fee would change game plan (Mid East Region 8) :

Without football, Kyshoen Jarrett probably wouldn't be at Virginia Tech. As the East Stroudsburg Area School District weighs charging a $100 activity fee for students in grades 7-12 enrolled in extracurricular activities, District Superintendent Sharon Laverdure said she's concerned for students like Jarrett, who come from modest financial means.

West Chester Area school board adopts spending plan with tax hike (Penns Grant Region 15):

The West Chester Area School Board adopted a final budget for the 2012-13 school year with a 1.7 percent property tax increase. The vote to approve the budget, along with the vote to approve annual tax levy resolution, was made at the board's monthly meeting Monday evening at West Chester East High School. The total budget for the 2012-13 year is $201.79 million.

Audit: Lawmakers have $121 million surplus :

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is sitting on a $121 million surplus as lawmakers consider cuts to higher education, school districts and social services. "I'm beyond disappointed. I'm disgusted," said Eric Epstein, founder of Rock the Capital, a reform group. The Legislative Audit Advisory Commission, 6 months later than anticipated, today released the surplus amount for 2011. Lawmakers say they need to keep money in the event of a budget standoff with the governor.

North Hills school board to consider 2.9% property tax hike (Allegheny Region 14):

As part of its proposed 2012-13 budget, the North Hills School District voted 6-3 Monday night to consider a 2.9 percent property tax increase. In finalizing the proposed $68,637,206 budget, set for formal adoption at a meeting June 4, board members expect the tax increase to raise $1.9 million.

Mifflinburg School District facing deficit (Susquehanna River Region 6):

The Mifflinburg school board approved by a unanimous vote a proposed $26 million budget with a $600,000 deficit for the 2012-13 school year during its meeting Tuesday night. This is the second year that Mifflinburg accepted a proposed deficit budget, but the school district successfully quenched a near $1 million deficit for 2011-12 school year, so much so that it will finish in the black this year, Superintendent Dan Lichtel told board members.

Boyertown School Board rejects spending plan (Mid East Region 8):

At a special meeting called Tuesday night to approve a tentative $93M budget for 2012-13, the Boyertown School Board soundly rejected it. With only 2 votes for the budget, the board majority made clear that it is not happy with proposed 3% raises for 30 administrators and 380 support staff. "I can't vote for this budget," said Barbara Hartford, citing the raises. President Gwen Semmens said: "The teachers took a 2 1/2-year freeze. I thought that would continue for the rest of the staff."

Elizabethtown music program hears sour note (South Central Region 9):

A year after trimming 1.8 FT music teachers, officials are considering a plan that would drop another music teacher by not replacing one who is retiring. The proposal, which was presented by the administration, struck a sour note for a few board members, especially in light of last year's reductions. With a direction from the board to keep any potential tax increase below 2%, administrators came up with the possibility to save about $77,000 by rearranging the music offerings with 1 less teacher.

Peters Township School Board considers preliminary spending plan (Southwestern Region 3) :

A preliminary budget presented to the school board Monday would raise taxes by 3.79 mills. District business manager Daniel Solomon presented the 2012-13 preliminary budget he said includes a 3.5% tax increase. The board has until the end of June to adopt a budget. The total revenues of $50,872,602 exceeded the total expenditures of $50,727,108 in the preliminary budget.

Abington Heights school board balks at tax increase (Northeast Region 7) :

The majority of the Abington Heights School Board on Wednesday balked at raising taxes in the 2012-13 budget, despite a recommendation made by the superintendent. In a presentation to the board, Superintendent Michael Mahon, Ph.D., said 5 teachers, 5 custodians and 4 secretaries will be eliminated through attrition. He said a 1.7% increase in the property tax from 117.35 mills to 119.35 mills would result in an additional $400,000.

Pennsbury school board looks for ways to eliminate tax hike (BuxMont Region 11) :

Pennsbury school board members directed administrators Tuesday night "to investigate" how much can be saved by making a number of adjustments to district operations in the coming school year. The goal is to reduce a projected $80 average property tax hike to $0, the school board members said during a 2012-13 budget hearing in Keller Hall at Pennsbury High School West in Falls.

Hempfield School District anticipates tax hike (South Central Region 9):

Residents of Hempfield School District are looking at a 2% increase in school taxes in the 2012-13 academic year. Hempfield school board Tuesday unanimously approved the proposed $103 million budget, up from $98 million in 2011-12. The tax hike would raise the tax millage rate from 18.266 to 18.631, Mary Lynne Kniley, director of finance for the district, said Tuesday evening.

Woodland Hills schools board wants proposed bus cuts restored (Allegheny Region 14) :

The district faces a $4.5 million shortfall next school year, and the board has been unsatisfied with proposals by the administration to make up for the lack of funds. A plan to eliminate pre-K and kindergarten classes was rejected by the board and replaced last week with an option to cut $2.4 million from the budget by eliminating bus transportation for elementary students who live within 2 miles of their school.

Meyersdale school board approves tentative budget with tax increase (Central Heartland Region 5) :

Meyersdale school board members approved a tentative $13,507,488 general fund budget for the upcoming school year during a board meeting Wednesday. The financial plan includes a 0.54-mill tax increase, taking property taxes from 22.54 to 23.08 mills. The increase would generate an additional $49,800 in revenue for the district. Taxes generated about $1,865,278 for the district last year, according to business manager Laura Schardt.

Rally at Chester County Courthouse protests Corbett's education budget cuts (Penns Grant Region 15) :

Local residents packed the historic Chester County Courthouse steps Thursday evening to take a stand against the proposed budget cuts to public education. The rally, organized by state Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19th of West Whiteland, was done in conjunction with the Chester County Coalition for Public Education, and featured speakers from all angles of the educational system.

Pleasant Valley School District spending plan calls for tax hike (Mid East Region 8):

The Pleasant Valley School District wants to increase it millage rate from 146 to 147.8, or 1.2%, according to the district's 2012-13 proposed final budget. A West End resident who owns a home assessed at $20,650 will have to pay $3,051 in school taxes this year, about $36 more than last year, if the budget passes.

Council Rock school board approves spending plan for technical institute (BuxMont Region 11):

The Council Rock school board at its Thursday night meeting voted 6-0 to approve the 2012-13 budget for the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology in Warwick. Council Rock is 1 of 4 school districts that send students to MBIT. The other 3, Central Bucks, Centennial and New Hope-Solebury, had previously approved the $9.79 million budget along with the MBIT joint school board committee.

Boyertown to hold summer camps for first time in attempt to raise revenue (Mid East Region 8) :

Boyertown School District is trying to raise revenue along with student achievement with a series of summer camps starting this year. For the first time, the district will operate camps for students in grades four through 12 to help bring in about $5,000 to $10,000 for next year's budget.

Windber school board weighs tax hike (Central Heartland Region 5):

Windber School District is mulling a $15.2 million budget that would boost school taxes by about 2 mills. It would mean a 10% hike in a district where taxes rank among the lowest in the Cambria-Somerset region - but is only one in a list of steps Windber has taken to chip away at its $1.6 million deficit.

Richland averts property tax hike in spending plan (Central Heartland Region 5) :

The school board's latest plan, tentatively approved this week, erases what had been projected as a $250,000 deficit earlier this year. It was done without dipping into the district's fund balance. "We're very proud of the efforts that everyone involved put in to bring a fiscally responsible budget for the upcoming school year," Superintendent Thomas Fleming said of the $20.1 million plan.

Connellsville Area S D faces projected $4.5M deficit (Southwestern Region 3):

A draft of the 2012-13 budget for Connellsville Area School District shows a projected $4.5 million deficit. District business manager Eugene Cunningham presented the school board this week with preliminary figures consisting of $63,606,918 in revenue and $68,152,663 in expenses. The budget was impacted the most this year by a 43 percent increase in retirement contributions that is shared by the district and state, Cunningham said.

Wilkes-Barre Area CTC OKs preliminary budget (Northeast Region 7):

The Joint Operating Committee that runs the Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center approved a 2012-13 preliminary budget that increases total spending yet reduces how much each member district is expected to pay to help run the center.

Lake-Lehman S D airs financial woes at town hall meeting (Northeast Region 7):

Making changes to its health care plan will not save the Lake-Lehman School District from facing budget shortfalls in the coming years, but it might keep district cuts from hitting the bone, Superintendent James McGovern said Wednesday. He spoke in an auditorium packed with residents at a town hall meeting about the district’s current budget woes.

Penn-Delco school board passes $50 million proposed spending plan (Penns Grant Region 15):

The budget calls for a 0.724-mill increase, from 23.825 in 2011-12 to 24.549 in 2012-13. That increase would translate to about $7.25 more per month for a homeowner with a home valued at $120,000. The budget requires using $305,000 of the district's fund balance to present a balanced budget, but does not necessitate any major program or staffing cuts, district Business Manager Tracy Marshall said.

Mifflin County S D spending deficit down to $1M (Central Heartland Region 5):

The Mifflin County School District's 2012-13 budget continues to be a work in progress as administrators look for avenues to reduce a $1.66 million deficit before the June 30 deadline. To date, Superintendent James Estep said cuts through attrition and other avenues have reduced the budget deficit to $1,052,000, a number that he says would still necessitate the school board raising taxes again.

Hopewell Area proposed 2012-13 budget includes tax increase (Midwest Region 2):

The board approved a proposed $34.36M budget that includes a 1.5-mill tax increase. Business Manager Johannah Robb said the rise in PSERS contributions is one of the main reasons for the increase in the budget. Robb said net retirement costs increased by about $320,000 since last year. Robb said district officials have cut back on spending in a number of areas to avoid raising taxes further, most notably by holding off on major purchases of instructional materials for 2012-13.

Palmyra Area S D spending plan would hike taxes (South Central Region 9) :

Palmyra Area School District will raise real estate taxes to the 2.1% limit allowed for 2012-13, according to a proposed $40.3 million budget presented Thursday night. Factors driving the 2.8% increase in the budget, according to Superintendent Collene Van Noord, include a $114,300 reduction in state funding; net $325,000 increase in pension costs; $152,000 increase in cyber charter school tuition; and 11% health care cost increase.

York City teachers turn down wage concession proposals (South Central Region 9):

The York City Education Association voted Tuesday to reject a number of wage concessions proposed by the school district, which is working to close a $19 million budget gap for the 2012-13 school year. The district had proposed a number of concessions, including a wage freeze, six fewer paid days in the year, increases in health care costs, and cuts to stipend positions, such as coaching, according to the union.

Juniata County School District faces deficit, tax increase (Central Heartland Region 5):

Despite health insurance reductions, salary freezes, outsourcing and other cuts totaling more than $2 million, the Juniata County School District faces about a $1 million budget deficit. With a 4.4% tax increase, the deficit could be cut in half, administrators said during a special meeting and budget presentation Thursday.

Hazleton Area School District deficit stands at $2.5M (Northeast Region 7):

With the June 30 deadline to approve the budget just 60 days away, the board of education finance committee met with district administrators Tuesday to examine the fiscal plan and begin serious consideration of cuts. "We have a couple of options we can work through yet. But at some point we are going to hit a brick wall," business Manager Tony Ryba said. The brick wall represents difficult decisions on program eliminations, permanent swimming pool closure and employee furloughs.

Tough cuts on table for Upper Darby schools (Penns Grant Region 15):

Gearing up for Tuesday's Upper Darby school board vote on a proposed 2012-13 budget that includes the elimination of elementary school music and art classes, physical-education teachers and librarians, more than 500 parents, students, and supporters turned out at a board meeting to protest. District administrators at the Tuesday night meeting presented a sobering budget picture.

Exeter's online charter school costs rising (Mid East Region 8):

It started with 27 students during the 2005-06 school year and, by 2008-09, had grown to 52. In the 3 years since then, the average number of Exeter School District students enrolled in cybercharter schools has nearly doubled - as has the financial strain. On Wednesday, Exeter school officials added $230,000 to the 2012-13 budget for cyber or charter schools.

District cuts affect summer meals for children (Philadelphia Region 10):

Fewer students will be eating free breakfast and lunch in summer school this year because budget troubles are forcing the School District of Philadelphia to reduce the number of academic and enrichment programs it offers. This year, about 10,000 students will be enrolled in summer programs, nearly half of the 19,000 who attended in 2011, a district representative said.

Chester Upland lawsuit against PDE over funding headed to court (Penns Grant Region 15):

The Chester Upland S D's civil lawsuit against the PDE is slated to go to trial sometime this month in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. A telephone conference has been set for 9:30 a.m. Monday to discuss the scheduling of the bench trial. Judge Michael Baylson is presiding over the case, which was filed by Chester Upland in January after the district ran out of funding.

Pequea Valley School Board may raise taxes (South Central Region 9):

The Pequea Valley School Board, during a May 10 meeting, will consider a 2012-13 preliminary budget that slightly exceeds its 1.7 percent Act 1 index. The draft budget, in its current form, includes a 1.98 percent increase, said business manager John Bowden during a May 1 work session. The proposed tax increase on an average property assessed at $177,564 would be $49.68, Bowden said.

Eastern Lancaster Cty. will move on renovation project despite likely tax hike (S. Central Reg. 9) :

Eastern Lancaster County School District officials decided April 16 to advance a long-planned Brecknock Elementary School renovation. The board voted 7-to-2 to move forward with the $9.1 million project despite funding uncertainties.

$500 mil PA budget deficit by June?:

Things aren't looking good for state coffers, and they're about to get worse, according to the Corbett administration.

Limit on superintendent contracts moves on:

A York County state senator's bill to reform school superintendent contracts and limit buyouts is now headed to the House. Sen. Jeffrey Piccola, chairman of the education committee, said there's been a "rash of buyouts" statewide of superintendent contracts because of clashes between school boards and their chief administrators.

East Stroudsburg could join growing trend: Schools with 'pay to play' fee:

The number of Pennsylvania school districts charging student activity fees has more than doubled in the last two years, according to a study by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. In 2010, 13 percent of public schools surveyed reported charging students between $5 and $50 to participate in interscholastic athletics.

State Rep. Proposes Bill to Do Away with Property Tax Funding For School Districts:

Several media outlets are reporting on state Rep. Jim Cox (R-129th District – Berks County) and his HB 1776 – the "Property Tax Independence Act."

Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School chief Trombetta exits:

Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School CEO Nick Trombetta has announced he is leaving the school he founded which, at 11,300 students, has grown to become the largest cyber charter school in the state.

State Board of Education favors reducing graduate requirement tests:

With $23.2 million already invested in developing mandatory state tests for high school graduation, the state Board of Education has voted to move forward with the exams but to require fewer of them.

School Board Elections Could Become Nonpartisan:

A state Senate committee is considering a new bill that would eliminate primary elections for school board races, and omit those candidates' party affiliations from general election ballots.

Chester Upland pleads case in federal court:

Chester Upland School District officials, in federal court Wednesday hoping to receive assurances that they will have enough money to educate 700 special-education students this fall, painted a grim picture of the district’s finances.

State Senate OKs $27.65 billion budget plan:

A GOP-authored budget outlining $27.65 billion in spending passed the Pennsylvania Senate Wednesday after being unanimously approved by the Appropriations Committee Tuesday.

Pa. Senate committee adds money to budget:

Pennsylvania's state-supported universities, struggling public schools, equine industry, hospitals, nursing homes and people who depend on county-run social services all would benefit from a state Senate Republican budget plan that divvies up about $900 million in newly anticipated tax revenue.

Corbett stands firm on education, service cuts:

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett stood his ground on state spending during a speech to a Harrisburg-area business group, saying the state's bills must be paid before he'd consider rolling back cuts he's proposed to education and social service programs.

Report: Schools key to fighting America's obesity:

Fighting obesity will require changes everywhere Americans live, work, play and learn, says a major new report that outlines dozens of options—from building more walkable neighborhoods to zoning limits on fast-food restaurants to selling healthier snacks in sports arenas.

Pa. budget plan would restore education, social service cuts:

A bipartisan Senate budget plan that would restore cuts to state-supported universities, public schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and social services cleared committee and is on track for full Senate passage Wednesday.

Chester Upland School District going back to court to seek funding assurances:

The Chester Upland School District, which came within days of running out of money earlier this year, will be back in federal court Wednesday, asking for assurances that it will have sufficient funding to educate 700 special education students next year.

Gov. Tom Corbett says extra state revenue should be saved, not spent:

Gov. Tom Corbett stood his ground on state spending cuts today, defending his austere approach to running Pennsylvania’s state government as the state Senate began debating a plan to tap hundreds of millions in expected overflow tax revenue to erase some of the reductions.

Chester Upland CFO predicts $11 million deficit for district at trial:

The trial of the federal lawsuit filed by the Chester Upland School District against the state began this morning with the district’s chief financial officer projecting the public school system’s dire financial status would worsen by next school year.

Pennsylvania Keystone Exams changes moving forward:

Gov. Tom Corbett's Fiscal Year 2013 budget proposal calls for scaling back the end-of-course exams from 10 to three and axing the mandate that makes the exam count toward one-third of a student's grade.

Survey: 30 percent of Pa. school districts charge for activities:

Nearly one in three school districts are charging fees for students to participate in athletics and various extracurricular activities, according to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

Petri pushing pension reform:

Lawmakers from Bucks and Montgomery counties are pushing for an end to pensions for new lawmakers and school and state employees, while advocating for a 401(k)-style retirement vehicle to get taxpayers off the hook for years when the stock market suffers huge losses.

Lawsuit in troubled Chester Upland School District could ripple across state:

Thorough and efficient. Those three words can be found in Section 14 of the Pennsylvania Constitution: "The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth." But what that archaic bit of legalese actually means is anyone's guess.

Upper Darby has company: Tough times in Delco school districts:

Despite a small increase in education funding from the state for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, many Delaware County school districts are being forced to cut programs, raise taxes or both.

City schools seek to base layoffs on teachers' effectiveness:

No one disputes that this fall will be a year of unsought change as Pittsburgh Public Schools battles a projected deficit. About 1 in 4 classroom teachers won't be back in the same school as staffs are reduced and class sizes are increased.

Harrisburg school supporters to hold rally at state Capitol:

Harrisburg public school supporters are scheduling a rally later this month at the state Capitol to lobby for increased funding for public schools in the commonwealth’s 2012 budget.

Legislative boost for open campus:

Legislation paving the way for a new style of schooling got a boost Tuesday in Harrisburg. Senate Bill 1492, which amends the Pennsylvania school code to provide for an open-campus initiative in the works by three Lancaster County school districts, "passed unanimously out of committee, and now will go to the Senate floor," according to Hempfield district superintendent Brenda Becker.

Social Media Rules Limit New York Student-Teacher Contact:

New York City public schoolteachers may not contact students through personal pages on Web sites like Facebook and Twitter, but can communicate via pages set up for classroom use, the city's Education Department said on Tuesday after it released its first list of guidelines governing the use of social media by employees.

Pennsylvania Board of Education hears supporters, opponents of Riegelsville move:

Nearly 100 Riegelsville residents attended a special committee meeting of the Pennsylvania Board of Education held tonight to debate the future of about 50 of the borough’s school-age children.

Diverse groups converge on Harrisburg to protest Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed budget cuts:

In a year when the proposed state budget makes cuts in so many places, there's a lot of unhappiness to go around. Environmentalists resent Gov. Tom Corbett for, in their view, giving preference to policies that aid the natural gas industry while doing little to advance renewable energy. Civic and religious groups dislike cuts to public education.

Taxpayer Dollars Funding Both Public & Cyber Schools:

These are tough times in public education. Struggling from cutbacks and tight budgets, school districts are laying off teachers and cutting programs. (Video link included.)

Strengthening Pennsylvania revenues could ease proposed budget cuts:

State lawmakers are returning to Harrisburg after three weeks away for the primary elections and probably will spend much of the coming weeks deciding how to lessen Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed spending cuts.

State Sen. Jeffrey Piccola remains hopeful for significant education reform in Pennsylvania:

As his 36-year career in the General Assembly winds down, state Sen. Jeffrey Piccola remains hopeful for significant education reform in Pennsylvania.

Pa. legislators return with budget on their minds:

After more than three weeks off, Pennsylvania legislators return to the Capitol on Monday for one of the most hectic times of the year: budget season.

Department of Health gives a 2-week extension for student immunizations deadline:

Parents who still need to update their child’s immunizations — or face their kid being forced to stay home from school — received a last-minute, two-week extension from the state Department of Health on Friday.

Cabinet secretaries defend budget in Hamlin forum:

Two members of the governor’s cabinet made an unprecedented visit to the Evergreen Elementary School Tuesday to defend their boss’s budget.

State lawmakers propose eliminating property tax:

State lawmakers unveiled House and Senate bills Monday calling for the elimination of property taxes in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania budget may change high schools' graduation-required exams:

State finances are forcing changes to the way the state implements the new Keystone Exams. Gov. Tom Corbett noted potential changes in his proposed budget proposal last week.

Chester officials ask Pa. for $13.2M to keep schools open:

Officials from the Chester Upland School District and the Chester Community Charter School asked Education Secretary Ron Tomalis for $13.2 million Thursday to keep their schools open, pledging to make spending cuts in return.

Alle-Kiski school districts forced into budget guessing game:

Earlier deadlines brought about by a much earlier primary vote next spring are forcing districts to make budget decisions without knowing how much money they'll get from the state.

State voucher plan raises questions:

Corbett this week proposed using taxpayer money to help low-income families in underperforming schools such as Wilkinsburg to send their children to the public, private or parochial school of their choice. It would make students from schools struggling the most -- the bottom 5 percent -- eligible for vouchers, although Corbett's office is still determining which schools those are and what criteria to use.

Review sees little gain from voucher programs:

A review of major studies on school voucher programs concludes that vouchers have not strongly affected student achievement and that the rhetoric used to support vouchers has shifted over the past 10 years, according to a report released Wednesday by the Center for Education Progress.

IOM editorial: Rigging democracy with tax referenda:

Act 1 doesn't make Pennsylvania more democratic - it just rigs the game by applying one form of democracy (direct democracy) to taxes and another (representative democracy) to spending.

Capitolwire: Gov. Corbett says don't blame him and Legislature for teacher layoffs. :

[REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION]
Gov. Tom Corbett said the new state budget is not to blame for up to 10,000 educator layoffs. Pennsylvania School Boards Association executive director Tom Gentzel said: "Obviously funding decisions from the state impact budgeting decisions made on the local level. While the state is not directly laying off teachers, it, in effect, has forced this to happen for some districts through decreased funding."

Faculty at Pennsylvania state-owned universities interested in negotiating one-year wage freeze:

Faculty and coaches at the 14 state universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education have agreed to try to negotiate a one-year wage freeze in response to Gov. Tom Corbett call during his budget address for a salary freeze by employees at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education