In the Warren County School District, a significant debate has been raging over the past few months. Superintendent Gary Weber and the administration have been pushing the idea of closing Youngsville and Sheffield High Schools, citing a Qualified Zone Academy Bonds loan from a dozen years ago and the overall debt load on the district. This has sparked discussions about tax fairness and the impact on different attendance areas.
Uncovering the Truth Behind School District Decisions
Home Value and Tax Implications
The northern attendance area stands out with the highest home value per owner-occupied structure in the county. Pine Grove Township boasts a whopping $178,000 median home price, followed by Sugar Grove Township at $161,000 and Freehold Township at $134,000. Home value is a crucial metric for calculating tax owed. However, when comparing it to the western area, there are clear differences. In Brokenstraw Township, the median home price is $93,000, Pittsfield Township is $131,000, Eldred Township is $138,000, Youngsville Borough is $96,400, and Tidioute Borough is $79,000. These variations in home values also affect the tax burden and the financial situation of different areas.Another aspect to consider is median family income. Pine Grove again leads the list at $92,500, while the lowest median income in the north is in Sugar Grove Township at $59,000. Poverty rates for children 18 and under are generally 10% or less in the north. But in the western area, poverty rates for children under 18 top out at 42% in Deerfield Township, 23% in Pittsfield Township, 19% in Brokenstraw Township, and 12% in Tidioute Borough. These differences in income and poverty rates further highlight the disparities between the northern and western areas.Transportation Challenges and After-School Activities
Each student in the Western Attendance area would face a long commute of no shorter than 14 miles to Eisenhower. There isn't a single student with a shorter journey. In contrast, if the tables were turned, better than one-third of the students in the north would have a shorter ride to Youngsville. For parents with students participating in after-school activities, this means extra gas expenses to pick up their children after practice or competitions. This financial burden can prevent many children from participating in extracurricular activities, as their families simply can't afford it.Imagine the added stress on families when it comes to making appointments. An extra 36-mile round trip to Eisenhower can take a toll on the wallet. These transportation issues disproportionately affect the western area and add to the challenges faced by families.Administrative Transparency and Truthfulness
For years, we have known that this day would come. Now, more than ever, there must be full transparency in the administration. We are tired of being fed falsehoods and hidden numbers. The district administration has masked their intentions in an educational crusade, focusing on the number of courses that can be offered. Board members in favor of the move have been more honest about the monetary issues based on the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds. Board President Paul Mangione has stated that renovations in the district should have been done in a different order.Instead of catering to the upper crust with a school close to their homes, why not keep the most centrally located facility in the district open and maintained? We deserve the numbers and answers needed to make accurate assessments. Hiding information from the FAQ under different subtitles is an act of arrogance. We may be the poorer taxpayers on the western side, but that doesn't mean we are not educated. We demand the truth and transparency.Dennis Myers, a Pittsfield resident, shares these concerns and hopes for a fair and transparent solution to the school district's challenges.READ MORE