Hear from Centre County school board candidates about district funding, local taxes

The Centre Daily Times recently sent a survey to all school board candidates with questions about a number of issues, with some of the questions submitted by readers. Twenty-two candidates responded and 14 did not. We have published their unedited responses, which were limited to 1250 characters. We will publish additional responses in other stories.

Pennsylvania’s education funding system has been a key issue for educators since the Commonwealth Court ruled it unconstitutional in February.

The state’s current funding system relies heavily on local property taxes, which puts rural and low income districts at a disadvantage. Pennsylvania districts rely on local property taxes for 43.5% of funding compared to the national average of 36.5%.

Despite the ruling, lawmakers, advocates and educators are still struggling to find a solution to fix the system.

Candidates were asked about the future of education funding in Pennsylvania and how they would advocate for their district.

State College Area School District candidates

Amy Bader — Until the vast discrepancies in conditions between districts is resolved, it is challenging to know what routine fair funding should look like. Addressing facilities issues must be tackled in a separate process, in my opinion, in order to reach something that can be formulated based on population or other such factors. Certainly, increasing state-level contributions to K-12 education would decrease dependence on local property taxes and reduce the likelihood of these inequities from reoccurring. PA is 45th in the nation on funding education and that must change. The role of a school director includes advocating for public schools, which takes many forms. I have experience working with legislators and their staff to help them understand how decisions and policy really impact students in the classroom. I have been involved in discussions on charter funding reform for many years and have learned how to be an effective communicator to legislators. Fair funding will certainly benefit SCASD, but the bigger issue is ensuring students across the state receive a quality education — that benefits everyone. I am eager to do my part to see that come to pass.

Gretchen Brandt — Fair funding would encompass a comprehensive, constitutionally compliant school funding plan to ensure that all children in the state of Pennsylvania have access to the contemporary, effective system of public education that the constitution mandates, and that the Commonwealth Court’s decision requires. I would advocate for fair funding in SCASD by engaging in advocacy work in Harrisburg and with our local representatives for an increase in funding for local public schools. The gap between the support students have in public schools and the support they need is a statewide shortfall estimated to be at least $4.6 billion. The state legislature needs to fund public schools at sufficient levels in order to fulfill the constitutional mandate decided by the Commonwealth Court in February. This is where my focus would be to create fair funding for public education in SCASD and in Pennsylvania.

Anne Demo — We are a public school family, so I know how unfair state funding harms public education. The current system mandates that districts fund charter schools within its boundaries on a per capita basis. Cyber charters (with no brick-and-mortar costs) receive massive overpayments and overburden taxpayers. Changing the funding formula must be a priority. After the ruling, I joined other local educators to rally for fair funding.

Barry Fenchak — “Fair Funding” of school districts has been an ongoing deliberation in Harrisburg for several years — with no meaningful resolutions. Several reasoned and rational ideas have been included in those deliberations. In addition, several ideas have been put forward that would cause significant harm to communities, like SCASD, that generously support their public education system. In January of 2022, the SCASD Board — including the incumbents running for reelection — issued a proclamation urging state lawmakers to institute policies that would penalize the SCASD community. They did so under the banner of “equity.” The duty of SCASD board members is to the SCASD community. Period. To advocate, as a school board, for measures that would willfully harm the district is a serious breach of responsibility and duty. Our board’s duty is to focus on “fair funding” for our community members, our students, and our faculty by making sure that their tax dollars are being used to most effectively achieve SCASD’s mission. Not to advocate for personal or special interests that are detrimental to the mission.

Daniel Kolbe — The reliance on property taxes places an undue burden on homeowners and engenders disparities among school districts. Notably, within Centre County, a conspicuous funding discrepancy prevails between State College and its neighboring districts in terms of budget allocation per student. There is already a fair funding formula that was created to ensure every school district receives funds based on community and student needs. But it appears as though our state Legislators can need to come to an agreement of what that fair funding looks like. As a school director, advocating for equitable education funding and possessing a deep understanding of state education policies is central to our role. I truly believe the SCASD board will continue to push for legislation that brings fair funding to life.

John Kracovic — As an elected member of the SCASD Board of Directors, I would act in the best interest of SCASD taxpayers, the district, and its students. While this position cannot influence statewide legislation or taxing it does have an impact on local school tax. I support local taxes being used in the area it was collected and taxing people proportionally. I do not believe that taxpayers in wealthier areas should be overburdened to compensate for a lack of funds in other regions. My responsibility as a SCASD board member would be to make decisions that are in the best interest of the people that I represent and that’s what I would do.

Aaron Miller — Fair funding would mean that property taxes are no longer the primary basis for funding public education. Using property taxes as the primary way to fund schools puts a strain on homeowners and creates inequity between districts. Within Centre County we see a significant funding disparity between State College and surrounding districts in terms of their budget per student served. In order to close this gap we need state legislators to pass a new funding plan that provides resources to underfunded districts so that we close this gap. Advocacy and understanding state education policy is a key part of being a school director, and I believe the SCASD board will continue to push for fair funding legislation in the coming year.

Michelle Young — School districts receive funding from local, state, and federal sources. Pennsylvania exceeds national averages for local, state, and federal spending per public school student and ranks 8th in the nation for total per-student spending. State funding of public education is up 56% over the last decade with an 8% education increase in Gov Shapiro’s budget. PA will spend over $10 billion on basic education. The court’s declaration calls for a more equitable and fair funding system. It is unlikely the solution will be to double state funding. Realistically, it would involve increased state funding by capping local property taxes and maintaining per student spending at the national average (less than current PA funding) or establishing a formula to redistribute current funding that takes into account the needs of each district (and likely removes the “Do No Harm” exception) reducing funding to affluent districts like SCASD. Either of these solutions will likely end up in a net loss of funding for SCASD overall. The board’s approval of the SCASD resolution in support of the plaintiffs in this case advocated for measures that would financially harm the district.

Nathan Bish and Megan Layng did not respond to the survey.

Bellefonte Area School District candidates

Jennifer Barnhart — As a school board member, it is extremely important to be a strong advocate with our state legislators toward funding that is fair and equitable. I recognize that I must ask many questions and try to look at things from all angles when making recommendations. Additionally, I recognize that I have a learning curve on this, but also feel that a fresh eye on this could be an advantage as the unconstitutional ruling shows that there has not been enough examination and thoughtfulness. Charter schools offer some options that may be viewed favorable by some families. It is important as a school board member that I am also evaluating where our school may be lacking, but we cannot let the charter school system continue to be a detriment or hindrance to the public schools and all their students.

Patrick Buck — Ultimately, this ruling is an opportunity for the state to consider changing its approach to public school funding as a whole and embrace school choice. If executed correctly, this could provide community members with increased leverage and options for their families. As it stands, families are given very few options when it comes to the education their children receive: attend their default public school, pay out additional expenses for private school, or uproot their families and move. School choice provides community members with increased flexibility to meet their specific needs. This also creates a more competitive environment for the educators and schools, the result is an accelerated improvement in the education our students receive. The current system monopolizes the education of our children and severely limits what families can do if they deem their local public school unable or unfit to meet their needs, school choice changes that. As the ruling at the state level takes shape, it will be my responsibility as a school board member to be an advocate for positive changes to funding allocations that most effectively impact our district and ultimately provide the best results for our community.

Paul Dombrowski — Public schooling is a general public matter across the entire commonwealth, and should operate with fairness to all students equally and alike. Our students deserve and are entitled to the same level and kind of support granted to public students in wealthier neighborhoods. Their needs, wishes, and hopes should not be relegated to second-class status due to neighborhood. The income level of a neighborhood does not alter the rights and needs of students in that neighborhood. Funding is for the public as a whole, not for only the individual neighborhood. This is not a financial matter but a matter of innate rights. I would advocate within the board, and to parents to contact legislators, and contact legislators as a director, and write local news editorials. This would impact the school physical plant, teacher’s salaries and benefits, student load per teacher and classroom, instructional materials, non-teaching staff, and special services. To do this right will entail shaking up the system to its core — it’s about time. My experience as a USAF military veteran has shown to me the powerful beneficial reality of equal treatment and support under the law for all.

Julie Fitzgerald — I am pleased that the Supreme Court came to this decision that many of us in education have been saying for some time. A student’s access to a quality education should not be determined by their zip code. As such school, districts across the commonwealth need to stand together and hold legislators accountable to establish a fair funding model that addresses disparities in resources and opportunities so that all students can reach their potential. This is especially true for schools like ours in rural areas that have historically been underfunded. I also urge all Bellefonte residents to contact their state legislators to ensure our schools receive our fair share.

Tim Kessling — Bellefonte Area School District sends millions of dollars to charter schools every year. Charter schools have no oversight on how that money is spent. The playing field needs to be even across the board and there needs to be transparency and accountability as to what millions of dollars go to every year at these local charter schools. But, parents should absolutely have the choice if they want to send their child to one. However, I raise the question as to why we are losing kids to charter schools? What can Bellefonte do better to retain students?

Darrell Sharp — Both public schools and charter schools need to be on a level playing field. Currently, the tuition calculation is too heavily swayed in favor of the charter schools. The public schools are paying an unfairly high amount per student to the charter schools. This, coupled with the fact that charter schools are not held to the same standards as public schools, creates a significant and unfair advantage for the charter schools. The educational quality competition could make both sides improve and parents and students would benefit from that. To make that happen the calculations per student must be corrected to restore a level playing field.

Donna Smith — On February 25th, I stood on our Courthouse steps with like-minded education advocates to speak emphatically on the topic of fair funding. I said then what I repeat now: Pennsylvania ranks 43rd in state support of education. Our unfair system forces a heavy burden on our local tax base to pick up the slack. Fair funding locally means each Bellefonte student would receive an additional $800 for their education. Other districts are far worse. Legislators must fix this inequity because all students are worthy of a fair, adequate, and equal education. Board members must ask this be made a priority and to call on our communities to join our voice.

Kim Weaver — As a school board member, it is my duty to ensure that our students receive the best education possible. Part of this duty includes interacting with our state legislators to advocate for equitable funding formulas for all of our schools. Charter schools play an important role in our community; however, it is imperative that funding is fair, which means funding allotments for charter schools need to be based on student population, not based on school district expenses. Bellefonte Area School District sends millions of dollars to charter schools every year, with no oversight on how it is spent because charter schools are not governed by boards with members elected by the community. It is important to have open communication with our legislators so that they understand what our district is facing, and it is important for our district to work with our legislators to understand their position and how they propose to fix the fair funding issue. The need for charter school funding reform is crucial and remains an issue in our school district.

Joe Yech — Fair funding of our public schools must be a priority. How we get there is nuanced, but must be addressed now by the PA legislature. Our statewide resources must be distributed to reflect need in our rural and urban districts alike, and those needs may be very different. I will be in contact with our state representatives, such as Paul Takac, a great supporter of public education, and Kerry Benninghoff advocating for our students and their needs in Bellefonte.

Denelle Korin did not respond to the survey.

Penns Valley Area School District candidates

Nicklaus Engle — Fair funding should look like a standard foundation meeting the basic needs of each district, while still recognizing and supporting the unique issues each faces. Even is not always fair, therefore it is crucial for board members to fully embrace and understand the distinctive circumstances of their district and advocate for them in an authentic, creative and thrifty manner.

Mike Pase — At the end of the day the PA Legislature will make the decision on how to fund our schools. Penns Valley is a rural school district that in my opinion will not be as affected since we are already in the middle of the spectrum. It will however be my responsibility if elected to make sure that Penns Valley receives all the funding that is afforded by the new laws.

Celesta Powell — The current question of fair funding is the ruling that in poorer school districts there is less local dollars (i.e. school taxes) to assist the students in those areas — therefore strapping the student and the area with a lagging education. This question is almost impossible to tackle in a realistic way… who do you give money to? Who do you take money from? We have a long way to go in all of our communities — I agree more must be done to assist all youth — however I do not have the answer. We have this discussion as if there is a different way to get the dollars than from taking from others or raising taxes and those are not fair solutions either. One example is the state of Massachusetts. Massachusetts was in a similar position and began a Chapter 70 foundation where all money is state distributed. This money comes from state sales tax — and then what else is needed is locally supported. Budgets for each school were defined by the state based upon enrollment, student demographics, and local wages. While this is an example the answer to correct this issues is a higher tax burden for all of us. As a school board member my role would be to assist my school in securing the best funding for our students needs — with the board.

Dan Hall, Molly Miller, Kim Kellerman-Domin, Domer Smeltzer, Daniel Pick and Scott Butler did not respond to the survey.

Bald Eagle Area School District candidates

Jason Penland — When the Fair Funding Formula was established, it was a bipartisan group of lawmakers that determined X dollars per year were necessary to ensure that schools in the commonwealth were adequately funded. From that moment forward we have received approximately 95-97% of this. Picture a household budget that has a break even point of $1000 per month. That is the bare minimum that you need to survive on JUST the essentials. What do you do when you only receive $950 to $970 per month? Our schools have been in this exact situation for years, and have had to meet educational standards at a fraction of what the commonwealth determined it should cost. On top of that, the cost of producing this education has increased substantially with additional partially or unfunded mandates and disciplinary issues which reduce the overall efficiency of all parties involved due to less actual instructional or administrative time. More indirect resources are needed but only partially funded. Educating both the public and legislators on the direct and indirect cost of this underfunded state is essential to rectifying the problem. If we are mandated to support students in a certain way, we need to have the funding to do so!

Molly Hoover, Erica Danneker and Brandi Bartley did not respond to the survey.

Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District candidates

Tiffany Warlow — Being in a rural school district, funding is critical. Advocating for our students and their needs has always been a top priority. The state needs to consider the rural schools who may not have the tax base some of the suburban areas have; it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. More work needs to be done and all stakeholders need to be involved in that solution.

Todd Jeffries, Tim Bainey and Alexander Boumerhi did not respond.