SCRANTON — Within five years in Lackawanna County, charter school tuition and pension costs increased by $17.4 million. At the same time, state basic education funding only increased by $10.6 million — causing school boards to turn to property owners in an attempt to make up the difference.
Just in those five years — from 2012-13 to 2017-18, property owners in Lackawanna County paid a combined $22.7 million more in school taxes.
The statewide issue forces districts to make tough decisions, such as cutting staff and programs, said Timothy Shrom, director of research for the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials, and co-author of “A Tale of Haves and Have-Nots: The Financial Future of Pennsylvania School Districts.”
“It’s going in one pocket and out the other because of mandates,” Shrom said.
The Pennsylvania Economy League organized today’s discussion of the study, published by Temple University’s Center on Regional Politics. Educators, community and business leaders gathered at Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel in Scranton to hear a “sobering” reality of education funding statewide.
Among the report’s findings:
- Over the next five years, 60% of districts will have continuous shortfalls, while 40% will experience surpluses.
- A permanent division of “have and have-not” districts exists. The “have-nots” have less to spend per pupil, with fewer educational resources and limited opportunities for students.
- From 2017-18 through 2021-22, the report forecasts in additional $2.8 billion in local taxes statewide, with that money being used to pay for salaries, pensions, health care and other expenses. A projected $667 million increase in basic education and special education funding over five years will fall short of covering an additional $670 million in charter school tuition.
- The largest cost increase burdens are “direct mandated costs,” such as charter school tuition, pensions and special education. Charter school tuition is expected to grow from $1.65 billion in 2016-17 to $2.32 billion in 2022.
For example, Abington Heights saw a $481,010 increase in state basic education funding from 2012-13 to 2017-18. Meanwhile, charter school tuition increased by $203,299 and pensions went up $2.1 million — leaving the district a $1.9 million gap to fill.
“It puts us in a squeeze, and the squeeze will continue,” said Abington Heights Superintendent Michael Mahon, Ph.D.
Scranton school Director Katie Gilmartin called the presentation “sobering.”
“It’s a reality of what our district is dealing with as well as other districts across the state,” she said.
To read the study, visit https://www.cla.temple.edu/center-on-regional-politics/.
Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter