It cannot be the narrative that Allentown students deserve less
As the Allentown School District faces the challenge of formulating a budget for the 2019-20 school year facing a deficit, we strive to maintain our commitment to providing a strong education for our students. The Allentown School District is one of many urban districts within the commonwealth experiencing both fiscal and academic challenges that threaten to impact our purpose.
That purpose is to ensure every child in our nation has a chance and an opportunity to live the American dream through the acquisition of knowledge and critical thinking skills developed in the academic environment.
In our district, several significant factors driving costs have been identified, and continue to impede the district’s financial resources. As these cost drivers expand, they collectively reduce our ability to provide equitable opportunities for our students. Three examples of these significant cost drivers are:
Increased charter school tuition costs Increased enrollment/services for students with Individualized Education Programs, written documents that are developed for each public school child who is eligible for special education.
Increased costs of enrollment/services for English learner
The Allentown School District is projected to pay approximately $56 million (17% of the annual budget) in charter school tuition fees this year. This is the second-largest expense after employee costs. The district’s charter tuition costs increased by 285% over the last six years.
This year, the district is projected to
spend more than $42 million on special education programs to meet the needs of our most vulnerable student population. These costs have increased by 22% over the last six years. As an example, autistic support needs continue to increase, with five new autistic classrooms (with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1) projected for 2019-20 at a cost of more than $1 million.
English learner student enrollment has increased by 60% since 2010-11. Due to a reduction in funding, the district has seen an 11% decrease in English learner staff. The percentage of English learner students in the Allentown School District exceeds the state average by 196%.
The district remains committed to the identification of solutions and educating every child that enters our doors.
The district has faced a longstanding budget challenge. The financial landscape that exists is not a new discovery. A fiscal review and projection of the district’s finances was commissioned by the school board of directors during fall 2017. This audit conducted by an independent third party identified a structural deficit that increased annually.
At the same time, the district’s year-end audit identified the same structural deficit that existed over the past five years and increased annually as well. The year-end audit further identified the fact that the district needed to monitor and budget appropriately. To begin to remedy this organizational deficiency, the district commissioned a comprehensive analysis of the financial and human resources management system.
For these reasons, a partnership between the district and the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 was established to transform the human resource and finance functions of the district. We are doing the critical work.
However, even with support from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and our local legislators to address the academic and fiscal challenges our district faces, there is a direct correlation between the quality of education provided within the district, and our financial state. The district’s financial decision-making processes must support the families we serve, our curricular goals, strategic priorities and equitable access to resources.
As we continue to advocate for our students, families and staff, we understand we must own the historical challenges while identifying the best solutions for all.
I want to challenge us to expand our conversation in Allentown and the Lehigh Valley to one that also addresses equitable resource allocation. If our city, our region is to be strong, we need a strong school district. That cannot happen without the financial ability to provide a quality education for all students.
We are at a crossroads with our district. We will continue to work, but we also need our external stakeholders to be aware of and advocate for the needs of our children. It cannot be the narrative of this city, this region, this district, that Allentown students somehow deserve less. It cannot be our narrative that we educate our children with fewer resources.
Great things are happening in the Allentown School District. We are not without challenges, but we are moving the needle and will continue to do so.
With the future of our children at stake, how we invest our fiscal resources, our voices and our time in our local school district is critical. As a parent, and a stakeholder in the Allentown School District, I am encouraged by our progress, and still hopeful for our future.
Thomas Parker is superintendent of the Allentown School District.