LANSDALE- At the monthly North Penn School District School Board Action Meeting on Thursday, January 19, board members approved the Preliminary 2012-2013 General Fund Budget with a vote of 5 -2.

After honoring the accomplishments of North Penn High School’s Marching Knights, Girls and Boys Cross Country, and Girls Water Polo, President Vincent Sherpinsky invited audience members to speak in regards to issues facing the community. One retired citizen voiced complaints about the looming tax increase, foreshadowing the debate that would take place between board members later in the meeting.

Josephine Charnock and Howard Reid of the newly formed Alternative Revenue Committee shared the ideas fostered during the first two committee meetings. With Centennial and Pennsbury School Districts as references for and guides towards financial security, the Alternative Revenue Committee proposed creative and somewhat radical changes geared towards raising funds for the North Penn School District.

Proposals included eliciting corporate sponsorship, such as assigning naming rights to the score board bringing in a possible $500,000; installing a North Penn Portal on the School District website, with profits of up to $100,000; eliminating extracurricular activities; establishing a four-year high school, thus consolidating facilities; charging user fees, such as a cost for parking at events like football games; implementing a 12-month school year; switching to e-Books by 2015, cutting book costs by two-thirds; and other cut backs and ideas that would lead to an estimated total savings of $3.4 million. For now, these are all brainstorming ideas only, but the ARC will continue to explore those which seem most feasible.

Uncertainty regarding said proposals stems from a possible lack of funding. In February, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett will announce his budget plan. Until then, the School Board remains unaware of how much aid the state will provide – knowledge that could mean major changes to the preliminary budget.

Before voting to approve the Preliminary Budget, Board members discussed the effects such a decision would have on community members, with many hesitant of a tax increase. However, President Sherpinsky placed emphasis on the word “preliminary.”

According to Sherpinksy, limited revenue, rising expenses, and a stagnant economy make for a dangerous atmosphere, one that has lead to the proposed 2.9% increase in the average citizen’s tax payment, or on average $86. The budget to budget increase from last year to this year stands at $4.5 million. North Penn School District is reportedly the school most impacted by Social Security reimbursement, adding further monetary constraints.

Sherphinsky recognizes that the board’s goal continues to be quality education and resources to North Penn student achieved through good business practices; however, he also admits that “some things are inevitable” as “the game has changed in Harrisburg, so the system has to change. That’s just the reality… I think it’s the fear of the unknown more than anything that causes concern.”

Still, Sherpinsky contends North Penn is better off financially than other districts, regardless of how bleak the situation may appear.

Before the final Budget is approved, the board welcomes public input at its monthly meetings in the E.S.C. Building. Discussion and compromises will be crucial, as “the preliminary budget never turns out to be the final,” according to Sherpinsky.

The complete Preliminary General Fund Budget for the 2012-2013 school year and more information on the issues the district faces can be accessed through the following link: http://www.npenn.org/557710323155936523/site/default.asp.