New High School : 7/1/2009
Underfunded pensions, new teachers contract looming, cost overruns of the construction project, increasing taxes and more to come! What is the Bethel Park school district and school board thinking raising taxes with record unemployment, record foreclosures, people either making less or worse loosing their jobs! I understand some moms and dads don't want little jr. walking outside in the cold or rain, but come on! There is real pain in this community and everywhere for that matter. The high school kids will presumable attend college and a college campus is far larger than our high school campus. The school district can spend $50 million on renovation without a tax increase. How can they do that? In the 90's our taxes were increase by 3 mills for the renovations of the school and the taxpayers were also told when that debt is retired we would have a reduction. Dick Rose, head of the finance commitee knows that because he was there. Now he wants more! Dick, you need to retire. The school district has also spend the maximum debt possible before it is required by state law for a referendum. School Board approve the new school at a cost of $79 million + $1 and let it go to referendum. Maybe it will pass, ha,ha! Two months ago you voted for the construction cost to be $81.5 million, when you found out the State said weight rooms, cardio rooms and wrestling rooms could not be considerd a classroom therefore the debt limit must be $79 million. So like the non-democratic people you all are you just lowered the price and made NO CHANGES! Nice move, but the taxpayers are getting wise to your antics. Maybe you all shoud resign or are you going to make us all wait till the November elections when a couple of write-in candidates beat you? Well, I guess from your poor reponses to have a referendum by the senior citizens, parents and students indicate you will take advantage of us until your ousted in November. I like the way you eliminted the $10 head tax and increased property taxes for the homeownes who have invested long term in Bethel Park and let off the hook the renters who no longer have to pay a head tax. What do you plan on doing to the people who have been laid off or have been making less money when the money you recieve from the wage tax decreases? Put more liens on the homeowners or foreclose on them. You will attract alot of new residents with the highest taxes in the South Hills. At least the remaining residents will have a great new, "Sports and Activities Center and high school too" that the students can attend if they still live here. Oh yes, I forgot to inform everyone that the student population is decreasing. The 6th grade class has 369 students in it. Down from 1100 student in the late 70's. For you believers who think you will attract more families to Bethel Park with a new high school think again. With the high taxes people get a better bang for thier educational buck in USC, Mt. Lebanon, South Fayette and West Jefferson Hills. All rated higher in scholastics than Bethel Park. So good job Bethel Park School District and School Board you are taking away our unique campus and raising our taxes, not because test score will improve, but because you want to! If this sounds a little angry to everyone, it is intended to. I have pleaded, begged and spent much time, effort and money in an honest effort to get the school district to allow the residents a vote! Because they are so arrogant and truly believe that if they made the point as to why a new school is the only option, they think you, the residents of Bethel Park are to ingnorant to vote for a new building. I believe the taxpayers are intelligent and would do what is right. Only 48 other staes in the country rquires a referendum for a tax increase, but not Pennsylvania, our government is smarter than you! NOT. Please go to www.savebethelhigh.com and sign the petition! IT IS STILL UP TO YOU!