Ridley schools vow to hold to Pa. Act 1 index on taxes
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP >> The Ridley School Board, at its January meeting, passed a budget resolution under Act 1 which provides that the school district will not increase school property taxes in excess of the Act 1 Index of 3 percent set by the state Department of Education for the 2019-2020 school year.
But taxpayers will have to wait until the district’s preliminary budget is presented in May to find out if there will be an increase in their school taxes for the upcoming school year.
By passing the Act 1 Index, the school board cannot raise taxes above the 3 percent index without voter approval. Under the Act 1 Index, school districts are eligible to apply for exceptions, such as retirement and special educational expenditures, to raises taxes above the index without seeking voter approval. Ridley Schools Superintendent Lee Ann Wentzel said Ridley will stay within the 3 percent index and will not file for any exceptions.
In another financial matter, the school board approved a request from the Aquatic and the Nassau Swim clubs to waive interest and penalties for their 2017-2018 school taxes.
School board member George Dawson commented on how important swim clubs are to the community.
Wentzel announced that the U.S. State Department honored Ridley High School for its support of the 2018 German-American Partnership Program, its ongoing commitment to citizen diplomacy, and fostering international understanding through youth exchange programs.
“Your efforts are building enduring relationships between the United States and Germany, “program officer Elizabeth Latham wrote in her letter to Ridley High School Principal Ken Acker.
Also commended at the school board meeting were new Eagle Scouts Sam Barnard, Ethan Graeff and Kevin Tanzosh, all members of Boy Scout Troop 43 of Woodlyn, Ridley Township, and all seniors at Ridley High School.
Sam’s Eagle project was the collection of more than 5,000 children’s books for the Taylor Community Foundation for distribution to schools and families in need. Ethan built a new paver path and removed overgrowth and vines at the Ridley Park Lake boathouse. Kevin improved the handicapped access at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Norwood. He also refurbished the church sign.