Edu Workshop Banner

Who Should Attend: New School Board Directors, experienced School Board Directors, citizens who are exploring a run for School Board Director in the next School Board Director elections in 2013 and regular citizens who want to be better watchdogs of their local School Board.

 When: May 12, 2012 (full day)

Registration at 8:30 AM

(Kickoff at (9:00 AM)

Cost: $20 per person (includes morning coffee, donuts & lunch)

Location: ST. JOHN’S UCC of Howertown, 22 Atlas Road, Northampton, PA

Curriculum: (We will try to duplicate the previous November 2011 Workshop as much as possible.)

  • Ed Inghrim (Saucon Valley School Board Director) – Two separate sessions on Teacher Contracts and Pensions
  • Simon Campbell (Pennsbury School Board Director) – “How did we get here (current state of education)”
  • Eric Adams (Concerned citizen and parent.) – Curriculum
  • Presentations by citizen watchdogs on school district accountability
  • Janice Bowman (Allentown, PA Citizen Watchdog) – Review of her work in Allentown
  • Local watchdog leader – Presentation on their local group
  • Hayden Phillips – School District accounting, using the Nazareth Area School District
  • Priya Abraham (Commonwealth Foundation) – The PA Sunshine and Right to Know laws: What are they? How do I use them? Examples of implementation & links/people to reference for specific advice.

(Please detach & mail this section with payment)

Education Reform Workshop: May 12, 2012

NAME:______________________________

EMAIL______________________________

Amount Enclosed:_________________

MAIL TO: LVTP, P.O. Box 91011, Allentown, PA 18109

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Property Tax Independence Act Petition

House Bill 1776, The Property Tax Independence Act, is an effort to eliminate school property and local school nuisance taxes across the Commonwealth. To garner attention for it an online petition is collecting signatures. You will find it here:

Sign the Property Tax Independence Act Petition!

Here are 10 well-considered reasons to eliminate the property tax, which will benefit the lives of all Pennsylvanians and help to make our Commonwealth an economic powerhouse and a great place to live, work and raise a family.

1. Achieve True Home Ownership
You never really own your home as long as it can be taken from you for not paying your property taxes. You’re simply paying rent to the government under threat of eviction.
2. Stabilize School Funding
Many school districts are struggling with steep declines in property tax revenues as a result of assessment appeals by home and business owners. House Bill 1776, the Property Tax Independence Act, creates a stable, predictable, equitable stream of revenue for K-12 education.
3. Help Prevent Foreclosures
Many homes that are in danger of being foreclosed could be saved with the elimination of the monthly property tax escrow that can amount to as much as 40 percent of a mortgage payment.
4. Restore Plummeting Real Estate Values
Because of excessively high property taxes, homes in some areas of Pennsylvania have sharply declined in value and have become almost impossible to sell. Replacing the school property tax with other funding sources will restore value and make these homes more attractive to buyers.
5. Boost the Sagging Housing Market
Elimination of the monthly property tax escrow payment will make homeownership more affordable, increasing both new and existing home sales.
6. Attract Business to Pennsylvania
Businesses are eager to establish a presence in states where the tax burden is low. Attracting business to Pennsylvania by replacing the property tax can be a huge stimulus for the state’s economy.
7. Generate Jobs for Pennsylvanians
The second largest fixed cost for Pennsylvania business owners is the property tax. Many business owners have stated that the savings gained by no longer paying the property tax would enable them to expand their businesses and hire more employees.
8. Create a Massive Stimulus for Pennsylvania
Homeowners pay approximately $10 billion annually in school property taxes. Returning that money to homeowners to spend as they please would create an organic, massive stimulus for Pennsylvania’s economy – one that would not subject the Commonwealth to the borrowing and debt associated with typical government stimulus initiatives.
9. Increase Personal Wealth
A home purchase is a family’s largest investment. With increased home values and no property tax escrow to pay, homeowners will enjoy a significant boost in personal wealth and a much greater ability to invest in a brighter, more secure future for their families.
10. Stop Costly Reassessments
Replacing the school property tax is the first step toward the replacement of all property taxes. With no property tax, property assessments will become a thing of the past. The average $10 million per county reassessment cost will be eliminated and government spending – and the taxes needed to support it – will be reduced.

No Tax Should Have the Power to Leave You Homeless.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Thomas Maher, RIP

Thomas Maher, Upper Nazareth resident and NASD Board member and treasurer died suddenly on Wednesday according to this article on Nazareth Patch .

He was the “budgetary hawk” on the board and in large part the inspiration for the creation of this blog. Please keep his family in your prayers.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Educate yourself about the state of education in America

Educate yourself about the state of education in America

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Limiting public discussion at NASD board meetings.

The proposal is for five minutes per speaker with a 15 minute total. If more than 3 speakers sign in to speak (you’ll have to sign in ahead of time) the 15 minutes is divided amongst the speakers.

e.g. – 10 speakers would have 90 seconds per speaker. That’s if they don’t count the time walking up to the podium.

Joe Owens of the Express-Times throws in his 2 cents about this.

Read it at his “Steaming Cup of Joe” web blog

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Education Reform Workshop

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

This Friday’s meeting is of special interest as it pertains to the Pennsylvania school property tax:
Meeting Friday October 7

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment