How geography and politics play into PA school funding
In Pennsylvania’s school funding dilemma, there’s a little-known mechanism that pits the western half of the state against the east — the hold harmless provision. The provision dictates how 71% of state funding is spent and prevents districts with shrinking student populations from losing funding. Western school districts tend to benefit from it, while districts in the eastern part of the state, and particularly in the populous and growing Philadelphia region, lose out on millions of dollars and have to raise property taxes to keep up. Although it’s controversial, the hold harmless provision will likely remain untouched as Gov. Josh Shapiro and state lawmakers work to develop a new funding formula to divvy up more than $8 billion in state funding between the state’s 500 school districts. According to an Inquirer analysis, 317 of the state’s 500 school districts gain from the hold harmless policy, with most of the schools losing students each year. But a majority of Pennsylvania’s students attend the other 183 school districts that lose out each year by failing to account for increasing enrollment and student needs. The dynamic creates a complicated political dilemma in the wake of the Commonwealth Court ruling last year that found the current school funding approach unconstitutional because it shortchanges poor districts and fails to account for student needs. Shapiro, a Democrat, and the divided General Assembly now must design a new way to fund public schools — and public school advocates say it will cost an additional $6.2 billion over five years to do it right. Next, Shapiro and the General Assembly will seek to agree on a solution in the coming months and include it in the next state budget. Lawmakers all have their own motivations and will likely each advocate for the option that brings more money home to their school districts. Read more here.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/10/2024

Small town utilities deal with hacking incidents
The municipal water authority of Aliquippa — a small water authority in Beaver County, Pennsylvania — discovered in November 2023 that it had been the victim of a cyber attack. The authority never had outside help in protecting its systems from hacking, either at its existing plant that dates to the 1930s or at a new $18.5 million plant it is building. Several other water utilities were also struck by hackers targeting a specific piece of equipment. “If you told me to list 10 things that would go wrong with our water authority, this would not be on the list,” said Matthew Mottes, the chairman of the authority. The hacking incident has prompted new warnings from U.S. security officials at a time when state and the federal government are wrestling with how to harden water utilities against such attacks. Proposed legislation died in several states, including Pennsylvania, where public water authorities fought bills backed by private water companies.
Source: Daily Local; 1/9/2024

In Minneapolis, land-use reforms spur housing development
Minneapolis became the first major city to eliminate single-family zoning in 2019, but the city has been chipping away at land-use restrictions for a decade. A new analysis from Pew Charitable Trusts reveals how those efforts are paying off. Between 2017 and 2022, Minneapolis increased its housing stock by 12%, while rents grew at just 1%. Those figures stand in contrast to the rest of Minnesota, where the housing stock increased by 4% while rents rose 14%. During those years, nearly 21,000 new units were permitted in the city. As rents remained stable, wages in the city increased, meaning in income-adjusted terms, rents dropped more than 20%. The benefits of more housing have rippled out to the community’s most vulnerable population. Homelessness in Hennepin County, where Minneapolis is located, decreased 12% between 2017 and 2022, while the rest of the state saw a 14% increase. Read more here.
Source: Route Fifty; 1/8/2024

Bensalem sees first tax increase in 30 years
Bensalem Township Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo issued a seven-page message about the township’s 2024 budget — a budget that includes the first tax increase in 30 years. Township officials attribute the 1.5 mill increase in the tax rate to the need to help fund park improvements during a time when “demand for these programs and facilities is at its highest.” DiGirolamo pointed out that while there is a tax increase, Bensalem will continue the $300 annual rebate given to property owners. The money for the rebate comes from Parx casino host fees. Bensalem is the only municipality in the state that provides casino host fee monies directly to residents.
Source: Bensalem Patch; 12/2/2023

Duplexes proposed in Falls Township
Falls Township supervisors recently discussed a developer’s proposal to build five duplexes on five small lots along Fallsington-Tullytown Road and Route 13. The small lots were common decades ago, when the lots were given away by businesses as door prizes, according to solicitor Michael Clarke. With space in some municipalities now at a premium, developers are trying to develop the small lots. Township engineer pointed out that the developer would need variances to build on the properties and joked that any developer “better beef up the guardrail system on Route 13.” No action was taken on the proposal.
Source: LevittownNow.com; 12/14/2023

Central Bucks to name interim superintendent
The Central Bucks School Board is expected to name Jim Scanlon as interim superintendent following the sudden resignation of former superintendent Abram Lucabaugh. Scanlon retired as superintendent of the West Chester Area School District, where he served in that role for 12 years. Following his retirement from West Chester, Scanlon spent seven months as interim principal of Lower Merion High School after the death of principal Sean Hughes, as well as three months as interim superintendent in the Octorara School District. He works as a consultant and leads an American Association of School Administrators superintendent certification program in Pennsylvania.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/3/2024

Plumstead posts Welcome Packet, seeks volunteer for planning commission
Plumstead Township has posted a Welcome Packet for new residents on its website. The packet includes important information for all residents, including the history of Plumstead, emergency services, public works services, yard waste collection, parks and recreation, and more. Plumstead is also looking to fill a vacancy on the planning commission. Interested residents should complete a statement of interest form and return it to the township manager by Jan. 31. See the Plumstead Township website for more information.
Source: Plumstead Township; 1/2024 

West Sadsbury raises property taxes
The West Sadsbury Township Board of Supervisors on Jan. 2 voted to increase property taxes by 55% in 2024. The increase brings the new property tax rate to 5.6 mills. There is an additional 1.4-mill fire tax to cover fire and ambulance services. The new total tax rate is 7 mills, up from 5 mills in 2023. For a resident with a property assessed at $100,000, the new rate translates to a tax bill of $700, a $200 increase over 2023.
Source: Lancaster Online; 1/9/2024

T-E school board authorizes $15.9M property purchase agreement
The Tredyffrin-Easttown School Board voted 7-1 to proceed to authorize an agreement to purchase a 15-acre property at 1200 W. Swedesford Road, Berwyn, for $15.9 million for a possible sixth elementary school. The district has 60 days to determine if the site is usable as an elementary school. The closing date would follow within 30 days after the review process. The district is hosting a special meeting to discuss plans for the new school on Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Conestoga High School, 200 Irish Road, Berwyn. Dr. Richard Gusick, superintendent, said residents will be able to learn about the plan and ask questions about the process. “The decision to build a school is a serious commitment, and we haven’t taken these steps since 1965,” Gusick said. Board President Todd Kantorczyk encouraged residents interested in the issue to attend the meeting. Read more here.
Source: Tredyffrin-Easttown Patch; 1/9/2024

South Coatesville Borough Council increases trash fees
South Coatesville Borough residents will see an increase in trash fees for 2024, affecting approximately 560 households. Borough council voted unanimously to increase the annual trash fee from $250 to $375, effective Jan. 1. “The normal resident of the borough may be shocked when they see a $375 trash bill,” resident Tina Floyd said. In January, the borough accepted a trash removal bid from Reading-based provider J.P. Mascaro and Sons. The trash contract is intact for three years. South Coatesville is currently paying $17,303 a month for trash services. Council Vice President Monica Watson said the borough budgeted, “a whole lot less than that.” She also said the trash bid had not been factored into the 2023 budget, as it came in late in 2022. “Our trash fees have increased substantially since the last bid,” Watson said. The borough previously paid $9,000 a month for trash services with trash hauler Waste Management. The council had raised trash fees by $100 in May 2023. South Coatesville Borough Council passed the 2024 budget with revenues of $2.2 million and expenditures of $1.98 million during a special meeting held Dec. 14. Residents will not see a tax increase next year, as the tax rate will remain at 9.1 mills.
Source: Lancaster Online; 12/12/2023 and 12/28/2023

Kennett Township manager to resign
Kennett Township Manager Eden Ratliff will resign on Feb. 1 to take a new position in Virginia. Ratliff will be the deputy city manager for administration for the city of Charlottesville. Kennett hired Ratliff in 2019, the same year that former township manager Lisa Moore was fired and charged with embezzling $3.2 million in township funds. Township finance and human resources director Amy Heinrich will be the interim manager while the supervisors search for a full-time replacement. Roseann McGrath, a local government search consultant, will work with the township to fill that role.
Source: Chadds Ford Live; 1/9/2024

Downingtown Borough posts comprehensive plan update
Downingtown Borough is in the process of updating its comprehensive plan. Throughout the planning process, there are multiple ways for community members to get involved and provide feedback. A summary report from the November open house is available here. The overall takeaways include the concepts that Downingtown should:

• enhance the downtown area with high-quality shops and a sense of place
• strengthen Downingtown’s neighborhoods through strategic investments and projects in multimodal connectivity and pedestrian safety
• protect the natural environment utilizing sustainable practices and investing in borough parks

The Downingtown Community Profile provides an overview of current demographics, workforce, housing stock, education and more. A community survey was also conducted to assess the community’s key priorities. A draft comprehensive plan is anticipated in spring or summer of 2024.
Source: Downingtown Borough; 12/20/2023