School Board Candidate Forum

There were only two candidates at Wissahickon High School this evening......Ron Stoloff and Burunda Prince-Jones. I need to find out where the other candidates were...how could there be political intrigue at this level? Anyway, questions about "fiscal responsibility" were met with phrases like "investment in our children" and "we must spend to get the best teachers".

The line which disturbs me the most is "our spending is comparable to other townships"...as they pat themselves on the back. And here are my thoughts...if we can reasonably raise taxes, employ the best teachers and provide the best facilities....then I'm in! We live in a nice area and I believe that most, including our Tea Party friends, will be happy to pay more for the best. This brings us to the "elephant on the table"!!!

When is the day of reckoning in which the School Board has voted to increase "unfunded" obligations that cannot possibly be met. Is it 5 years? 10 Years? It was noted that 80% of the budget for a child's education which costs $20,000.00 per student is for "teacher's salaries". By the way, I say keep the salaries competitive with the best. Saying 80% of that $20,000.00 per pupil is "teacher's salaries" is a bit disingenuous at best.

The School Board candidates must take a hard look at the detail under "teacher's salaries" and make sure the next generation can meet those obligations unlike many Townships across this country now in Bankruptcy! And let me repeat for those who read a couple sentences and pigeon holed me into some group...I say we keep the teacher's salaries competitive, continue reasonable tax increases, and provide the best for our kids.