Pick Your Pain: Perkiomen Valley School District Community Provides Feedback on Budget Items

"The quality of education in sets us apart from all of the other districts. Let's keep our programs and look into administrative cuts."

"Music and the arts are very important, and I don't want to see them cut."

"I would pay a $50 activities fee."

"Bumping (a music program) one year is not a big deal."

These were just some of the opinions voiced during Perkiomen Valley School District's first-ever town hall budget meeting Tuesday night at the . Nearly 500 members of the PVSD area—teachers, staff, local residents and even some students—were given a quick rundown of the proposed 2011-2012 General Fund Budget's current status, and then reviewed a 46-item list of potential cost-cutting measures.

Business Administrator Jim Weaver noted during the budget presentation that the district is currently facing a $1.7 million revenue shortfall, due in part to a loss of stimulus monies, and "commonwealth cuts" in Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed budget, including equalized subsidy payments, accountability block grants and the charter school reimbursement.

As the numbers stand now, taxpayers would be hit with a 5.13 percent tax increase; the Act I index allows for a maximum 1.6 percent increase without a referendum. A school district could raise taxes beyond that index if it applies for—and is granted—exceptions.

With a preliminary budget approval vote set for May, and a final budget must be passed by June 30, the district hosted this meeting "looking for feedback," school board President Lynn Bigelow said, as officials continue working to pare down the numbers.

Superintendent Dr. Clifford Rogers recited and briefly discussed and explained each item on the list before attendees broke into smaller groups for further discussion.

Each person had an "answer sheet" that corresponded with the item list, and was asked to rank each item on one of four tiers. Bucket A was for a program impact or expense that would cause "minimal pain." Buckets B and C—"shared pain" and "gut wrenchers," respectively—were for escalating twinges when it came to additional cuts or fees. Bucket D was labeled "no way, no how," and was for items that community members did not want touched.

During the group discussions that took place in the cafeteria and various classrooms, a complete consensus wasn't reached, but overall preferences leaned toward preserving smaller classroom sizes as well as the language, music and other arts and sports programs.

One woman said she was moving out of the Perkiomen Valley area, and having looked at neighboring districts, said, "I don't want to lose teachers ... I don't think we realize the quality of the teachers we have in this district."

Another parent urged the district to maintain the variety of language courses (no. 32). "Not all students want to study Spanish."

Some parents also spoke out in favor of retaining Project Silver (no. 28). At least two fathers said their respective sons' current, good academic standings could be traced back to that program.

Many teachers and parents advocated the arts programs, but opinion was split about whether to eliminate the Elementary Strings Program (no. 27) for third-graders.

Several parents were against cutting a position from the nursing staff (no. 18).
"The health of our children is critical," one mother said.

Health concerns also prompted parents to voice support for athletics (numbers 36-38).

"If you cut sports, kids will be home watching TV and getting bigger," one woman said.

Many said they would support a $50 activity fee (no. 1); others said the district should do away with the agenda books (no. 39); still others championed a move to more paperless communications (no. 40) or increasing parking lot fees (no. 4) and a charge for the driver's ed classroom portion (no. 25). Some participants flirted with no. 44, which would "expand limits for bus runs or cut bus runs."

No. 33, a salary freeze, could save anywhere from $19,000 to about $1.8 million, "depending on implementation and participation."

One parent asked the faculty and staff present, "If you knew keeping your salary the same would save someone's job, why wouldn't you freeze it?"

"I'm not a teacher; it won't affect me," he continued. "That's why I need to hear from you."

One woman responded that while a salary can be frozen, living expenses continue to increase, and it eventually boils down to prioritizing the welfare of one's own family.

Another woman, who noted she didn't want to speak for her colleagues, added that a salary freeze is only a "Band-Aid." When the freeze ends, the district would still be left with a nearly $2 million budget hole.

In another group, a library aide disagreed with the idea to cut seven aides (no. 17). She said even though she has a personal interest in maintaining those positions—"it's my job"—she mentioned the myriad responsibilities that aides tackle—including fundraising to make up for budget shortfalls.

"It's a two-man job," she said.

On the heels of those comments, board Vice President Lori Snyder praised the discussions taking place. "We're all becoming more aware of what's behind the words on paper."

"Overall, I thought the meeting was good. It's always better to be informed than uninformed," said district parent Greg Kupetz. "I think (people) have to realize it's just the first meeting. You have to give it a chance; everyone has an opinion. You have to start somewhere, and this is a good starting point. But you're not going to please everybody."

Bigelow wasn't sure if a similar event would be held next year.

Submit your own budget ideas here.