Schools

Salisbury School Officials Denounce Vouchers, State Cuts

Salisbury school board adopt resolutions opposing tuition vouchers and proposed state education funding cuts.

The Salisbury Township School Board adopted two separate resolutions Wednesday that opposed the proposed tuition voucher program and the governor's proposed cuts to public education. 

The district faces a loss of $500,000 in state funding this year, including $206,605 in basic education funding, $75,000 for charter school reimbursement, and $92,271 in accountability block grant funding that enabled the district to reduce class size and provide English as a second language services.

On Saturday, the board will meet from 8 a.m to 1 p.m. in the administration building to adopt a final The  district has a $2.5 million deficit and faces a possible 4.14 percent tax increase. Business Administrator Christine Stafford said she is "trying to look at as many things on the expense side rather than the revenue side."

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The Salisbury school board said it had the most representatives at an April 1 meeting in East Penn School District that was intended to educate local state legislators about school districts' concerns about vouchers,  state cuts and other issues.  Board President Russell Giordano chastised Rep. Justin Simmons for not attending.

Vice President Keith Reinsmith said he "sensed some lack of awareness on part of the representatives" about some of the issues.

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Giordano praised the efforts of the Salisbury Education Foundation, a non-profit group founded by township residents to raise money to help support the district's education programs, but said more residents need to get involved.

"The people in our town need a bit of a wake-up call. The things we built here are at risk. The enemies of public education are there and they are lined up," Giordano said.


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