HARRISBURG - Can’t tell you how I know this, but I’ve learned from a reliable source that Gov. Ed Rendell will form a “commission” to look into consolidating school districts, significantly drawing down the number in Pennsylvania from 500 to about 100.
Calling for a “commission” is like saying “I want this, but I know it’s unpopular.” It’s like the boyfriend who gives the girl a “promise ring” because he’s thought about proposing but isn’t quite ready for the commitment.
Still, if there ever was a time to start talking about consolidation, which could potentially save costs on health care and supplies or other areas, now might be the time. As the economy struggles, the state is not the only one having trouble maintaining the level of revenue. School districts collect property taxes and income taxes, and if property values plummet and people are laid off, school districts are not collecting the same amount of revenue. That means program cuts - very possible - or property tax increases - very, very possible - or a combination of both. Neither one is very popular.
There’s going to be some outrage about this. A lot of rural districts won’t want to give up local control, and a lot of residents in places like southern Lancaster County won’t like the idea of their education taxes going to subsidize programs in city schools because rural residents sometimes feel they have no connection to Lancaster city; therefor why should their taxes flow that way?
