AFTER $23 Million in Cuts, Harrisburg School District still has $16 Million Deficit

[JPZenger]

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/03/harrisburg_school_district_loo.html

Excerpts:

"District Business Manager Jeff Bader attributed the district’s anticipated $15.7 million deficit for 2012-13 to declining state and federal revenue, shrinking local tax revenue and $9 million in new costs. The district has already cut $23 million in the last two years, leaving nothing more than non-mandated programs to cut, he said. “Nobody is advocating for these things being good things to do,” Bader said.

The final budget, which must be approved by the end of May, could increase property taxes by 2.5 percent, for an additional $32.88 on the $1,315.35 paid on a home assessed at $50,000, Bader said. Class sizes could rise to 35 in high schools and 30 in the elementary grades, and art, music, computer classes, and library services could be cut.

Bader also suggested that sports programs, bands, and clubs could be cut, or the district could adopt “pay-to-participate” for extracurriculars.

Daria Auguste, Marcus’ mother, urged parents to pressure state lawmakers for more funding by attending an anti-violence, pro-education rally on the Capitol steps at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday."