19 Tax Hikes in 20 Years in Easton School District

When the Easton Area School Board signs off on its preliminary 2013-2014 school budget, chances are a tax hike will be attached to it.

After all, a tax hike is among two of the three options school administrators have offered as options along with staff reductions.

And tax hikes also appear to be the norm for the school district.

School taxes have been raised in 19 of 20 years.

And that figure astounded school board member Frank Pintabone when he raised the question during the board's most recent work session.

"I've been here a year now and we keep talking about how the future is bleak," Pintabone stated. "When was the last time we were doing OK?"

Superintendent Susan McGinley responded: 2007.

"When was the last time the district didn't raise taxes on residents?" Pintabone then inquired.

School Board member Pat Vulcano said he thought in 20 years.

But McGinley corrected him, saying she believed there was no tax hike in 2006.

"One time in 20 years?" Vulcano said. "Well, we paid for it the next year and the next year ..."

"It's been years and years that we keep hitting taxpayers," Pintabone said. "When times were good, we were taxing. We need to look ahead so we don't tax people to death every year.

"We have to make sure that families are not being overtaxed so they can provide for their children," he said.