North Allegheny School District's Deficit, How Did It Get So Big?

At the root of all of the consternation and complaints recently at North Allegheny School Board meetings is the district's looming $8 million dollar deficit. 

Another large crowd is expected at tonight's meeting at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of Carson Middle School.

" in trying to come up with a balanced budget for next year.

"What we have is a situation where we have fewer and fewer dollars to use for classroom instruction," she said. "And whatever increased money we get from the state is going for mandated pension contributions and transportation. Add to that, we are also paying the full load for cyber and charter schools. This year, that cost to the North Allegheny School district is $1.4 million dollars."

But Don Opacic of Franklin Park told the board at its most recent meeting on Oct. 24 that it can't blame Harrisburg for all of its problems.

“The board is the one that has created these deficits.” he said. "There are seniors and retirees who simply can’t afford to write a check for their property taxes. I can’t see how you can bail yourself out of debt.” 

At the same meeting, Ash Marwah, a Franklin Park Councilman, spoke about North Allegheny's per pupil cost of $15,381, the highest in Allegheny County.

“If you’re going to control costs, you’re going to have to control the one item that covers 80% of the budget, and that’s salary and benefits," he said. "Since 2007, the whole country has gone through a recession, except the employees at NA. The 1,064 employees at NA have seen increases in salary and benefits only and I think it’s about time they start sharing the pain of the 53,000 residents also."

Grosheider quickly countered by reminding the audience that all of the employees in the district have had their salaries frozen and that North Allegheny teachers contribute more for benefits than any other school district in Allegheny County.

"I won’t dispute that public schools probably haven’t experienced the same issues that the private sector has experienced," she said. "But we have made very stringent attempts to control costs."

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