Spring-Ford budget woes: Residents speak

The following is a selection of comments made by residents of the Spring-Ford Area School District who . The district is facing a $10.4 million budget gap and is considering a budget that may raise the district's property taxes by up to 7.6 percent.

"I ask you to raise my taxes, because my children and all of your children are the most important thing that we have. A good school feeds into the community, so I feel that not only our children but those of us who live in the community benefit from that."

- Missy McLaughlin, Limerick

"I do not want you to raise my taxes. I have seen this school district become a bit of a Taj Mahal in many respects. My children went through this school district. They're very successful, they did not have many of the advantages that those kids here do. I have a couple of suggestions, I don't have questions."

"First, I think it's incumbent upon the board to hire a superintendent who is capable enough that he does not need so many assistants. Second, I think there is good reason to charge a flat fee for all extracurricular activities, whether that is instrumental lessons, chorus, sports, whatever. And for those children who are financially unable to do it, here's a wonderful opportunity for that famous boosters club to come forward and help them out."

"I think building principals could be better utilized. I don't see any need for a staff development person. Isn't that the job of a principal? I also don't think anyone should have to be specifically hired to develop curriculum. The principal is in the building. The teachers...he should be able to communicate with and develop curriculum that best suits the children in his building and this district."

- Gwen Hillegas, Limerick

"In the situation that we're in this year, I propose that we go to negotiations [with the teachers' union] that you do not take three or four percent additional tax revenue from my mouth and my family's mouths and give it to the teachers who are making seventy or eighty thousand dollars a year."

"As far as programs, I believe foreign language programs in the elementary schools and in the seventh and eighth grade should be eliminated immediately."

- Rick Schroeder, Spring City (former school board member)

"[Real estate reassessment] is a process that's open to everyone. It costs $50 to go down to Norristown for any homeowner in this room to appeal their assessment. If you hit everyone here with a property tax increase, you could be opening Pandora's Box."

"You've got Costco coming in. This area will continue to grow unless it is perceived that taxes are becoming too high."

- George Ellis, Royersford

"I own and operate two businesses. Last year, my one business was off eighteen percent. I pay $40,000 in school taxes now. You're forcing all small businesses to appeal our assessments. There are some hard choices to be made. I don't know about everyone here, but I'm sure a lot of people have not had a raise in years. I'm not anti-education, I'm not anti-teachers. Maybe our teachers need to become more in tune as to what's going on with raises or decreases in salary in the private sector."

"I urge all of you to [practice] fiscal responsibility and remember, the money bucket has a bottom."

- Al Hurd, Limerick

"I'm a senior citizen. I've been retired since 1999. Now I'm faced with losing my home because I have done everything to save money and this is going to put a nail in my coffin if you pass this tax [increase]. I get no cost of living [increase] from the federal [government] or the state. Nobody. I do it on what I can. I had a part-time job that I lost because they didn't need me. I'm trying to help my son, who has lost his job. We can not afford any more taxes, period."

"What really got me upset was when I went to Spring Valley [YMCA] and I heard two ladies who openly admitted that they were Spring-Ford teachers. 'How much did you pay for your new Hummer?' 'I got a great deal, $79,000.' I wish I had half that amount of money to take care of all my problems. So they're out of touch with reality. The reality is there's a lot of people financially in bad shape."

- William Wise, Limerick

"I made $45,000 last year. I'm a pretty good teacher. You know what? I'm a great teacher. Every time we cut, be it staff, support, resources, you're taking away from your children. That's who's feeling it the most: the kids. I moved to this area because it's affordable, I got my first job, I got married, I had children, I experienced lost loved ones, gained friends, and I don't want to ask anyone to give 7.6 percent [in increased taxes]. That's a lot to ask."

"I'm not here to talk about the teachers, I'm not even here to talk about myself. I can't talk for the teachers of the union. I'm here to talk about my daughter, who will be entering kindergarten. I don't want to ask my daughter to give up 7.6 percent every year over the course of her [school] career only to find out that when it's time to get a job, she hasn't been prepared. She doesn't have the background. She doesn't have the quality education that I feel she deserves."

"I love working at Spring-Ford. I love the community, I love the parents, I love all the members. I say we form relationships with each other instead of fighting with each other. How can we work together? Get the parents in. Get the seniors in. They are so valuable, so rich in experience. Get the corporations in. Get the support, form the relationships, and make it happen."

- Sue Choi, Upper Providence resident and teacher at Upper Providence Elementary School