$15 Million Decision Heats Up School Board

The fate of a $15 million loan should be carefully scrutinized by a qualified group, a Pottstown School Board member said on Thursday.

That sentiment ignited an argument among some board members.

The appropriation of the money -- which the board plans to borrow to renovate five elementary schools in the district -- is set to be determined by the Neighborhood Schools Committee.

But the committee is incapable of adequately performing that task, school board member Polly Weand said.    

“I just don’t feel that these people should … make most of the decisions,” said Weand.

She made a motion for the board’s Facilities Committee to work with the Neighborhood Schools Committee on a plan to allocate the funds.  

Weand cited the Neighborhood Schools Committee’s past actions and decisions as evidence that the committee is unfit to be the sole authority in the appropriation of the borrowed money.  

She also accused the Neighborhood Schools Committee of taking action without the board's approval or awareness and proposed the Neighborhood Schools Committee meet regularly with the Facilities Committee in order to determine the most productive use of the money.

Because the district will not seek state reimbursement for the funds, Weand said the renovations could be an expensive burden on taxpayers and the district if the money is not properly utilized.

“We need to make sure this money will be spent wisely,” she said.

Weand’s assertions provoked a heated response from school board member Dennis Wausnock.  

Wausnock serves as chairperson of the Neighborhood Schools and Finance committees.

“If you think you can do a better job, why don’t you run for chair of the ... committee?” Wausnock said.

Weand appeared unaffected by Wausnock’s comment.

“We need to work together,” said Weand. “And it can be accomplished with complete transparency.”

• The next Pottstown School Board Committee of the Whole meeting will be held on September 15.