Residents Discuss City School Budget

By Michelle Starr, York Daily Record, Pa.

Feb. 9–A public meeting about the York City School District’s audit Wednesday turned into an open discussion and left some officials hopeful that residents’ interest will return next month when the district considers its budget.

The 2004-05 school year audit showed the district was facing a $3.1 million deficit, largely because of money not paid by taxpayers, higher energy costs and a shortfall in state reimbursements to the district.

The response from the public started with concerns about the possibility of raising taxes and led to suggestions about state or countywide reform and providing ideas about how to best educate students who need extra attention.

York’s taxes are high already, residents said, and an increase would concern resident Todd Clay.

Clay said he understands the challenges an urban district faces, but he doesn’t want the district to throw money to programs and services that might not work.

For example, he wondered if putting children in special education was a solution and questioned if the district could meet every students’ needs.

Although several board members and administrators collectively and immediately said “that’s the law,” Clay said he didn’t know if the law was a good one.

Along a somewhat similar thread, Margie Orr wanted to know why the regular schools couldn’t handle students who attend alternative school.

Board president Jeffrey Kirkland said some students need extra attention and are disruptive to other students. They need an alternative school even though it costs about twice as much.

As a parent of four special education students, Linda Radzik said those children have just as much of a right to receive an education as others.

And it costs less to ensure they learn the short time while they are in school than to pay for the social and judicial costs of unproductive adults, she said.

Resident Karen Emenheiser said she doesn’t believe the district is being foolish about money and suggested change on a larger scale.

Other states have school districts where a superintendent is in charge of several high schools, not just one. If districts in York County consolidated, the six-figure salaries from administrators could go to the classroom instead, she said.

After the meeting, Kirkland said the dialogue was encouraging for what is typically a routine process. He maintains that the district needs community and parent support to succeed.

Supt. Tresa Diggs said that, while a tight budget is difficult to manage, it was good that community members stepped forward to discuss it. She invited residents to the first public budget meeting, which is scheduled for March 18.

DRESS CODE

Instead of imposing a general guideline that students shouldn’t wear inappropriate clothes to school, the York City School District is considering more specific rules for senior high students.

Some items students shouldn’t wear: low-cut or midriff shirts; anything with slogans suggesting illegal or lewd behavior; hats or head coverings, except for religious reasons; anything with chains or studs that could scratch furniture; jackets or rain gear, except in emergencies; pajamas or slippers.

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