TOWAMENCIN-  After school on Monday, February 6, students had the opportunity to ask questions of and voice concerns to Dr. Curt Dietrich, Superintendant of the North Penn School District, and Mr. Burt Hynes, Principal of North Penn High School, in regards to the preliminary budget for the 2012-2013 school year.

A group of some 60 students filled the Audion, actively participating in the discussion and even offering potential alternative solutions to the budget crisis. Students seemed to focus concern on the possibility of cutting courses with registration under 20 students, in an attempt to balance the 2012-2013 NPSD budget.

According to Dr. Dietrich, the list of classes that may be cut is not ranked in any way, although he would “want to keep as many, if not all, AP classes.” The determining factor for which classes get cut will be the number of enrolled students, so he once again encouraged students to sign up for classes in which they have interest and encourage their friends to do the same as to prevent a “self-fulfilling prophecy” resulting from avoiding registering for classes that typically have low numbers.

With the installment of the late arrival and early releases programs for seniors with 18 credits who scored proficient on the PSSAs in the areas of reading, math, and writing, several students voiced complaints that having fewer students in the building to take classes with typically low enrollment will act as the “self-fulfilling prophecy” of which Dr. Dietrich warned.

However, the magic number of twenty enrolled students is reportedly up for debate and dependent on the limitations of individual classes. When students expressed concern that smaller class sizes allow for a better educational experience, Dr. Dietrich agreed that the impact of the student to teacher ratio is important, but that the budget constraints complicate matters.

In response to questions regarding how class cuts will save money, Dietrich explained that teachers with seniority whose classes are cut will instead teach other classes within his or her certification parameters, while newer teachers will be reduced to part-time positions. Reducing the number of teachers receiving payroll for a full day will thus save the district money.

Another concern raised by students regarded the discrepancies in extracurricular funding. For instance, the Marching Knights had to raise $60,000 this past season due to the lack of funding, an amount that could potentially increase if the budget were to pass without removing the proposition to decrease the amount of funding for the program.

To comment on this issue, Dr. Dietrich cited schools in which students have to pay the full sum, over $1,000 in some instances, to play on sports teams. Addressing the suggestion that we begin advertising in the stadiums and hallways of North Penn, Dr. Dietrich acknowledged the potential earnings of $400,000. However, such a move would mean disbanding the sentiment against advertising that North Penn holds.

One student emphasized the importance of the diverse course offerings here at North Penn. Dr. Dietrich hopes to see the same wide range of courses continue to be available to student and stresses that cutting courses will result only in the most extreme circumstances. If need be, varied course levels of one subject will combine, to preserve the subject itself.

Although the extent to which the North Penn School District will be limited in the area of funds in the 2012-2013 cannot fully be determined until Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett presents his budget, Dr. Dietrich spoke on behalf of the economic shortcomings our district will undoubtedly face. However, today  Governor Corbett will announce his recommended budget, which will give the School Board a better idea of the financial situation. Once the state legislature adopts the final budget, the School Board will have to pass the District’s final budget by June 30^th.

The School District receives the majority of its funds from the community through property taxes. As Dr. Dietrich explained, in accordance with Act I, the School Board is limited to a 1.7% property tax increase, but the current budget could include  a 2.9% increase in property taxes due to the exemption for pension costs.

In the thirty School Budgets over which Dr. Dietrich has presided, he admits that we are tighter financially this year than ever, along with every other publically funded program. While current economic time may be putting a strain on the budget process, Mr. Hynes also notes that there were similar economic downturns in the 1970s and 1980s.

“We are in hard times; we have to ask ourselves what we can afford. I have never before seen the district cut programs that directly impact students, and I’ve been through hard time. I urge folks to not believe any of the rhetoric they are hearing about what will be cut,” said Hynes, stressing that the preliminary budget is currently just “a list of ideas.”

Both Mr. Hynes and Dr. Dietrich welcomed the suggestions, which were recorded by Christine Liberaski, manager of School and Community Engagement. Students seemed to agree that a large, more publicized meeting in which Dr. Dietrich addresses sophomore and junior students might be necessary to ensure that the student population is educated on the issues and that they understand the need to sign up for all courses that interest them.

The over two-hour long meeting included insightful comments and questions from students, and concluded with the overall message that the School Board will assess what can be done with the economic challenges in mind. Students should understand that the School Board members want to see as many of the advantages offered in North Penn School District remain as possible, but that the future of education is changing the current economic situation may mean change and compromise are necessary.

To voice your concerns regarding the Budget, email [email protected] or attend the next School Board meeting.