This evening, the NPSD School Board approved a "final budget proposal". Vince Sherpinsky made sure that those in attendance, and viewing at home were aware, that this proposal has no tax increases, no program cuts, no salary increase for the year, and is counting on some funds being restored by Gov. Corbett. Additionally, rennovations continue to run over-budget for North Wales, and an additional cost of $250,000 (that's a quarter of a million dollars) was approved. Just like that, a budget deficit for next year of $14.2 million dollars has disappeared. There is no additional revenue, in fact, on the school district's website, during the May 10th meeting, it was stated:
"loss of property tax revenue of $1.4 million
realty transfer tax is 40% ov average collections four years ago
earned income tax flat"
Something just does not add up. No explaination. No discussion. It should be noted, there was an "executive session" held prior to tonight's action meeting.
Before every school board meeting there is an closed door meeting. It is usually an hour long and no real explanation of what discussed is supplied to the public. The current board has approx. 15hrs. of these sessions. This does not include the monthly committee meetings of personnel and special education which the public is excluded. Will you if elected continue this practice?
ReplyDeletePing,
ReplyDeleteI have been witnessing this behavior long before I had decided to becomd a candidate for school board. Furthermore, it is even more astonishing that the media has not questioned the frequency, length, and amount of these executive sessions. No one can say if these executive sessions violate the Sunshine Law because the media is prevented from attending them.
That being said, look through agendas and meetings minutes just over the last 6 to 7 months, and you will see there is not a whole lot to report, ever. Given that our district was supposedly looking at a $14 million dollar debt, until just a few days after the primary election, there should have been a lot of meetings and minutes just from the finance committee, and often times there were none.
All five of us have talked about this behavior. We are adamant about wanting transparancy. Will there still be need for executive sessions? Probably. Is there a way to discuss subject matter from executive sessions without divuling content or identity? We believe so. It is our intention to reduce executive sessions, to finally answer your questions. But given the power of the school board members, we need to get all five sitting board members, who are up for re-election, removed and replaced by our candidates.
Thank you for your question.
Paul Edelman