School board OKs resolution urging ‘no’ vote on ballot question

WEST CHESTER » By a vote of 8-0, with board member Christopher Tabakin absent at the Oct. 23 meeting, the West Chester Area School District School Board approved a resolution asking residents to vote “no” on a ballot question on Election Day, Nov. 7. The ballot question asks whether the Pennsylvania Constitution should be amended to allow local taxing authorities to exempt homeowners from paying property taxes.

“The constitution currently allows taxing bodies to exempt up to 50 percent of property taxes, but no district comes close,” said Superintendent Jim Scanlon.

“The General Assembly should develop a comprehensive funding formula to accomplish the 50 percent reduction.”

If the constitutional amendment is successful, nothing will change immediately. The General Assembly would have to pass “enabling legislation” to provide revenue to replace the property tax. Currently, the exemption

has to be funded by the local taxing jurisdiction. The General Assembly could authorize political subdivisions to enact new revenue options, or could pass state legislation to make adjustments to the personal income tax, sales taxes, etc.

Many educators across the state of Pennsylvania are concerned about the ballot question and what impact it could have on public education.

“The board believes this ballot question will be the opening to relinquishing

“How will they be able to provide a budget for 500 school districts?” — School Board President Chris McCune

local control of our educational system. School districts will become more dependent on state allocations, in a state system that struggles to balance its own budget,” said School

Board President Chris McCune. “How will they be able to provide a budget for 500 school districts?”

“I firmly believe that our school funding formula and system of taxation needs significant reform,” Scanlon said. “However, I am strongly convinced that this kind of backdoor legislative change is not the kind of positive, sustainable solution that we need. It deserves a much longer, more thorough review, with more equitable and sustainable solutions.”