February 29, 2008

Dear

We are now aware that Governor Rendell and the General Assembly worked this budget season in their words, “to fundamentally reform Pennsylvania’s outdated and broken school funding formula.” Their stated goal was to ensure that every school district has the resources determined necessary by the 2007 Costing-Out-Study. The proposal is ironically built around five key principles adequacy, equity, efficiency, accountability and predictability.

Our State Budget allocation is neither adequate, equitable, nor predictable. It is interesting to note that the northern counties in Western Pennsylvania were not the

recipients of the same funding levels that were allocated to the counties in the major urban centers of the state. As a result of this new change in the funding formula, the Clarion-Limestone School District received a 1.9% increase in basic education funding. This translates into approximately $89,000.00 additional state revenues to support our school district this year. With an operating budget of about $9 million, a 3% inflation rate would add $270,000 to district expenses. Obviously, the state is not even covering the inflationary costs. If this rate of funding continues, the demand on local taxpayers will continue to increase.

Our students already do not have equity in opportunity. We offer far less in services, curriculum, etc than the districts who can generate more in revenues than we can. This level of funding will create even greater disparities. We are now looking at cuts in programs and activities. Our students deserve the same opportunities as other students in the Commonwealth. We need reasonable relief, and we need it soon. Please reconsider the school funding formula and the plight of schools like ours.

Sincerely,