If you were faced between making cuts that would negative affect education or increase property taxes what would you do?

Jim Grabusky: I coach an Odyssey of the Mind team, and they were asked to build a structure as high as they could with paperclips and a few coins. Some started from the floor and built the structure up, and some started from the top, holding the paper clips in a chain while standing on a chair. What I’m trying to explain is that there is always more than one way to solve a problem. You can’t look at making cuts or raising property tax. In terms of education, you need to look at how to give and get the best education you can.

Jeffrey Dimmig: I think that’s a false choice. We can provide an excellent education without increasing taxes. In the past decade in the state we were the third highest in tax increases out of 501 we had a 48 percent tax increase and we have an $18 million surplus. We’ve over taxed the district. I don’t think spending equals a good education. I think it’s important we have good leadership.

William Lycett: Thinking about what I used to pay in 2000-2001 for my real estate tax, it’s a very, very difficult choice. And as I said in my earlier comments, I think you have to look at everything else first. Bottom line we need to produce results, and the results are not PSSA tests. The results are kids who can actually think creatively, who can accomplish mathematical problems, can read, can write.  It’s not how they perform on the PSSA that helps to fund this district in the three weeks that are taken prior to teaching it. So when it comes down to results, I need to see the results that they’re producing, and ask are they being funded appropriately?

John Quigley: I don’t think it’s really one or the other. It’s a misconception that the more you spend the more you get back. I think the School Board has done an excellent job, particularly in the last year, at looking at how that money is spent. We have a good administration, great teacher, good parents. We don’t have to spend more money to get better results.

Corrine A. Gunkle: First I’d like to inform you we are listed as 250th  out of 500 districts in the state in terms of what our tax rates per $100, 000. The second thing is in Lehigh County on that same website we rank 7 out of 9. Yet, I understand the PSSA scores are not everything, however, that is what the government is holding us to and we continually rate in the top three. I mean to me it’s all about balance, we have to balance, and that’s the decisions we make every day. This is what it costs, this is what the cuts are going to be. I think it is very important, I don’t think anybody wants their taxes to go up, but it’s very important for  people think about what the cuts are going to be and make sure if you’re asking somebody, ‘Don’t raise my taxes’ that you’re willing to live with what cuts they may give you.

Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for clarity and grammar. Content has remained unchanged.