Crowd hammers board on plan

8/9/2019 Crowd hammers board on plan

1/4

The Morning Call Archives

Copyright 2010 The Morning Call

ID: 4579625

Publication Date: April 23, 2010Day: FridayPage: A1Edition: FIFTHSection: NewsType: LocalDateline:Column:Length: long

Byline: By Christopher Baxter and Arlene Martinez OF THE

MORNING CALL

Headline: Crowd hammers board on plan **Almost 800 pack highschool, many protesting end of middle school sports, teacher layoffs.**EASTON SCHOOL BUDGET CUTS

Nick Raso was five years old when he began playing football, followingin the footsteps of his older brother. Now an eighth-grader in the EastonArea School District, Raso wants his younger brother, who is in secondgrade, to have the same opportunity.

"Thanks to my coaches, I am driven to graduate as a student-athlete,"Raso said, criticizing the district's proposed budget that would cut middleschool sports. "Without sports I'd either come home and hang out or justsit there and play video games."

A capacity Red Rover crowd of almost 800 people packed the high schoolauditorium Thursday, mostly in protest of a draft budget that wouldeliminate most middle school sports, decimate the technology departmentand drop dozens of teaching jobs.

The scene of anger mixed with school pride prompted by Easton'sproposed $8.7 million in cuts is likely one to repeat itself throughoutPennsylvania and the nation, as school districts continue to struggle withthe downturn in the economy.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said this month that someforecasts estimate between 100,000 and 300,000 education jobs may be at


2/4

risk this year. In Easton, 85 positions are on the chopping block undernext year's proposed budget.

"It's too bad the citizens of Easton can't vote on this budget," said SusanEagle, whose grandson is in third grade and who urged all of the district's

employees to accept a wage freeze. "Because I can guarantee you, if wecould, we'd defeat it."

Specifically, the district plans to eliminate 37 middle and high schoolteaching positions in English, math, science, history, art, music, businesseducation, computers, study skills and Latin. Cuts at that level alsoinclude two literacy coaches.

"It has been my honor and privilege" to have taught for so long, saidSusan Shelosky, who's taught Latin at the Easton Area Middle School for35 years. "And I hope to be in my classroom in the fallLatin is alive and

well and kicking."

District officials also plan to outsource Advanced Placement courses toNorthampton Community College. Junior Andrew Trinker, 17, said onlyreluctantly would he take his AP courses next year at NCC.

"Go into any classroom, look on the wall, and you'll see a poster that says,"Expanding Easton's excellence,"' Trinker said. "This budget plan is doingthe exact opposite."

In the district's elementary schools, the district plans to eliminate seven

general teachers, seven intervention teachers for struggling students andseven literacy coaches. The proposal also eliminates full-day kindergartenat Cheston Elementary.

Additionally, the proposed budget slashes 11 of the district's 13technology coordinators who work to integrate computers, iPods andother technology into the classroom. The coordinators also run many ofthe district's in-service events for teachers.

A coordinator at Paxinosa Elementary, Robin Hudak is on the brink ofjoining the unemployment lines. She said cuts to her department will

reverse gains made in the school district during the past decade.

"We have kindergartners using laptopsand other students usingtechnology to advance their math," Hudak said. "I hope they see howimportant technology is for the students."

The budget also cuts four crisis counselors, three maintenance andcustodial positions, three attendance secretaries and one administrator,


3/4

school-to-career coordinator, psychology secretary, equipment managerand middle school athletic trainer.

At a rally before the board meeting, about 100 teachers and students stoodagainst the district's cuts. Michael Crossey, vice president of the

Pennsylvania State Education Association, said the administration wastrying to "break the union."

School board President Patricia Fisher opened the meeting by banning theaudience's dozens of signs, sporting slogans, such as, "Who makes cutswhen they have $20 million in the bank," a reference to the district'sreserve fund, and "If you can read this, thank a teacher."

The crowd answered Fisher's request with jeers and chants.

Minutes later, teachers union President Kevin Deely chastised the school

board, saying they cared more about numbers than the students, teachersand community members in the audience.

"If I was a parent in this district," Deely said, "I'd consider moving.

The crowd erupted into cheers; Fisher waved her hand and mouthed,"Then go."

The administration has said it can offer the same level of education andopportunities for students despite the cuts. Community members areskeptical, but some are willing to give the administration a chance if it

means a lower tax increase next year.

"Since when is it the taxpayer's responsibility to keep kids off the streets?"said Mary Jane Long, president of the Palmer Area AARP Chapter 2144,which lobbied for a low tax hike. "Would we like a zero percent increase?Yes. But that's not realistic."

Under the proposed $131.49 million budget approved last week, the taxrate for Northampton County residents would rise to 52.325 mills, a 2.35percent increase. At that rate, an owner of a home assessed at $50,000would pay $2,616, a $60 increase.

The tax rate for Riegelsville residents in Bucks County would be 162.384mills, a 3.46 percent increase. At that rate and based on last year's state-adjusted millage rate, the owner of a home assessed at $20,000 would pay$3,247, a $108 increase.

[email protected]


4/4

Documents

Crowd hammers board on plan