Great question! Two things that would help at this point: 1) share this post widely in your networks - most people don't know anything about it, and 2) share your own point of view with the school board by emailing all of them at _schoolboard@eastpennsd.org. Make sure to include the _ character at the beginning. That address goes to all board members. Your note doesn't have to be long or anything. Just a simple and respectful statement of your own views helps!
Many good thoughts. I have many, too, but don't have much time to share them now. I'll try.
I think the good news, at least for now, is that at this writing now, the tonight's EPSD board agenda has an item which is called only a "discussion", with no proposed motion for approving a specific plan of action, so hopefully they will be thoughtful and not rush to judgement.
I've spoken to the board twice in the last 20 months - in 2023 I suggested that they try to make the the MS project be $30 million instead of $60 million, so that some money is left for the HS.
Early in the spring 2024 process, I suggested they take the whole Act 1 Index that year to prepare for buildings, just like Upper Merion had an 8 year plan to finance a new high school, building up funding to finance it may years in advance.
EPSD's current expiring $6+- million of debt service will support about $80+- million of new bonds. It's two bad that they diverted another $6 million of debt service spending in the years just before COVID on other (possibly profligate) spending as some board members are recognizing, as I mentioned at the time.
Also, skipping abut 2.5 mills of allowable Index over the decade hasn't helped with these proposed projects. That alone could have funded about $200 million.
Great question! Two things that would help at this point: 1) share this post widely in your networks - most people don't know anything about it, and 2) share your own point of view with the school board by emailing all of them at _schoolboard@eastpennsd.org. Make sure to include the _ character at the beginning. That address goes to all board members. Your note doesn't have to be long or anything. Just a simple and respectful statement of your own views helps!
Many good thoughts. I have many, too, but don't have much time to share them now. I'll try.
I think the good news, at least for now, is that at this writing now, the tonight's EPSD board agenda has an item which is called only a "discussion", with no proposed motion for approving a specific plan of action, so hopefully they will be thoughtful and not rush to judgement.
I've spoken to the board twice in the last 20 months - in 2023 I suggested that they try to make the the MS project be $30 million instead of $60 million, so that some money is left for the HS.
Early in the spring 2024 process, I suggested they take the whole Act 1 Index that year to prepare for buildings, just like Upper Merion had an 8 year plan to finance a new high school, building up funding to finance it may years in advance.
EPSD's current expiring $6+- million of debt service will support about $80+- million of new bonds. It's two bad that they diverted another $6 million of debt service spending in the years just before COVID on other (possibly profligate) spending as some board members are recognizing, as I mentioned at the time.
Also, skipping abut 2.5 mills of allowable Index over the decade hasn't helped with these proposed projects. That alone could have funded about $200 million.
What can I do to help?