TESD to Non-Profits: We Need Help, Send Money

Most non-profit organizations, including churches and most private schools do not pay real estate taxes in the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District. Faced with a projected $6M budget shortfall, the school district is considering sending a letter to non-profits asking them to pay anyway.

That is just one of the proposals up for discussion at the school board's finance committee meeting Monday night at the District Administrative Offices, 940 West Valley Road, Suite 1700 in Wayne.

A draft of the letter on the TESD website reads:

Dear [INSERT TAXPAYER]:

The Tredyffrin/Easttown School District requests your organization consider making a voluntary payment in lieu of taxes to the District to help cover essential services currently provided to students attending District schools. As the owner of a tax exempt property, your organization is legally exempt from paying property taxes to the District.

However, in these tough economic times, and faced with numerous cuts in federal and state funding, the District requires additional support in order to maintain the quality of education and level of excellence our community has become accustomed to expecting from District schools. In addition to seeking support, we are planning to reaffirm the tax exempt status of all tax exempt organizations in the future.

One of the many benefits of doing business within the boundaries of the District is the ability to draw from a diverse and experienced work force. Many of the individuals that are part of that work force were drawn to this area because of the many opportunities for learning and educational success afforded their children by District schools. Also, as the tax-exempt organizations in the District’s boundaries grow and expand, so does their space, which causes a proportional drop in the amount of school taxes that the District can collect.

By seeking additional support from organizations such as yours, the District hopes the community will assists in filling the gap left by these monstrous budget cuts. If your organization were not tax-exempt and your property was taxable, the District would levy property tax due in the amount of $ [Insert dollar amount of total tax due here]. The District requests your organization make a payment in lieu of these taxes equal to 10% of the total amount or $ [Insert dollar amount of 10% of total tax due here].

The District appreciates your consideration of this request and looks forward to receiving your contribution. Thank you in advance for assistance.

Sincerely,
Arthur J. McDonnell Business Manager/Board Secretary

Also on the agenda is a proposal to demote many teachers with PhDs from full time to part time status. Depending on the number of hours those unspecified teachers would work, the district would save on both salary and benefits.  The demotion proposal was the subject of passionate speeches and debate by students, parents and the board at the last full T/E School Board meeting.

The public has been invited and encouraged to attend the Finance Committee meeting to learn more about the proposals for closing the projected budget gap and to express opinions or offer other ideas.

Click on the pdf to read the agenda and to see the list of budget proposal that are under consideration and that have already been approved.