How Long Can We Afford To Live In The Oley Valley?
A number of citizens must be asking themselves, how long will they be able to stay in the area? School property taxes are rising at such a rate that homeowners cannot keep pace.
Whether they are seniors on fixed incomes or young families trying to make ends meet, people are worried about keeping their homes.
Oley Valley School District Millage:
Year - Millage - Tax Per Assessed Value
1999 - 14.08 Mills - $1408 Per $100,000
2000 - 14.93 Mills - $1493 Per $100,000
2001 - 16.70 Mills - $1670 Per $100,000
2002 - 18.69 Mills - $1869 Per $100,000
2003 - 19.68 Mills - $1968 Per $100,000
2004 - 20.75 Mills - $2075 Per $100,000
2005 - 21.50 Mills - $2150 Per $100,000
2006 - 27.12 Mills - $2712 Per $100,000 are the potential taxes for this year's budget.
When is this juggernaut of tax increases going to stop?
The Oley Valley School board cannot blame the state or the federal government for sweet heart teacher contracts, wish list spending, Taj Mahal buildings or grandiose athletic projects.
We are a small bedroom community and we expect the board to spend our hard earned tax dollars wisely.
School Board Members :
Robert A. Heckman
Ralph C. Richard
Mary Anne McCarthy
Barbara M. Bieber
Robert J. Cappa
Scarlette Z. Gotwals
Christopher M. Hannum
Kerry Madeira
David M. Maloney, Sr.
24 Comments:
Is this board insane?????
Who can keep up with these taxes!!!!!!
Right on, but what are we going to do about it? We need people to show up en mass at the Board Meeting and let this school board and administration know that we mean business. Talking about it does no good, we need to let them know. Board meetings average about 1-2 people who try to make every meeting, and no one else shows. This lets the school believe that they can do whatever they want, and so far they have. You need to read the coments on the first posting, specifically that in 110 days of school there have been 1,144 teacher absences. That is just basically the first half of the year! Our children are there to be taught and the teachers need to be there teaching!
Just for your information - there is a board meeting this Wednesday, March 8th at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room. Come and see our school board in action or no action or reaction! It certainly is a sight to see!!
Attention Parents of Children with IEPs and Special Education Services - Are you aware that our school district is currently non-compliant with Speech Teachers. We currently have too many students on the roles and not enough teachers to provide the services that are necessary for our children!!!!!!! You need to ask the School District why this was allowed to happen.
I understand that local taxes are getting a little exorbitant, however, I am curious just how many people within the Oley Valley S.D. have lost their homes because of recent tax increases?
If one looks at the tax burden for residents of Oley and compares this to residents of other districts throughout the county, Oley's School Board has not done a terrible job in regards to year by year tax increases. People with properties of equal values in other districts are paying far more than their counterparts in Oley. The fact is, every district in the county is facing increasing costs and, as a result, property taxes will increase. Is this the fault of local school boards? No. Tax reform is needed in PA (and no, Act 72 is,or was, not the answer). Our state legislators need to make a serious attempt to resolve this problem rather than concerning themselves with voting themselves pay increases or appeasing "big $" interests. Solutions are out there if our elected representatives are willing to put the effort forward to find them and attempt to implement them with their constituents' interests in mind.
Needless to say, our state representatives should be the focus of our (your) attacks regarding rising taxes, not schools and their boards. Local taxes are increasing, and they are becoming more burdensome to certain members of our community. However, until the state understands that something has to be done, is it fair to strip funding from the institutions which provide our community's youth with the knowledge and skills necesssary to become useful and contributing members of our society?
"I understand that local taxes are getting a little exorbitant,.."
A little exorbitant?
1999
14.08 Mills - $1408 school property taxes Per $100,000 of assessed value
2006 Potential Budget
27.14 Mills - $2714 school property taxes per $100,000 of assessed value
Who can keep us with this!
"I am curious just how many people within the Oley Valley S.D. have lost their homes because of recent tax increases? "
You might start with the tax delinquent list. Every year new names are put on the list.
You also might ask yourself why so many For Sale signs are showing up on people's property.
"If one looks at the tax burden for residents of Oley and compares this to residents of other districts throughout the county, Oley's School Board has not done a terrible job in regards to year by year tax increases."
Apples to oranges comparison.
We are a bedroom community with a certain income level and we cannot afford to spend money indiscriminately.
The average teacher salary is close to $47,000, yet the average household income in our district is $45,000.
Let's take a look at the recent decisions of our board.
Take for example, the new five year teacher contract.
Salary Percentage Increases:
Year 1 - 4.75%, Year 2 - 4.70%, Year 3 - 4.60%, Year 4 - $4.50%, Year 5 - 4.50%.
Very few people will see their salary increase by this amount, yet they will be forced to pay the teacher increases.
The teacher health benefits are a slap in the face. The most they will have to pay for their premiums will be $50 for a single person, $85 for two, and $110 for a family.
What the health insurance does not cover, they can draw on the Medical Pool.
The private sector average health premium contribution is 40%. There are millions workers who do not have any health insurance at all.
And what does the community get for this giveaway? The teachers will work one additional day!
They gave the superintendent a $13,000 pay increase in year one! Then they gave him a new five-year contract and he can do consultant work during school hours!
As if that is not enough, the board wants to waste up to $1,400,000 on a new track instead of investing in education.
All these indecisions were made by our board. To say they have done a terrible job would be generous.
"The fact is, every district in the county is facing increasing costs and, as a result, property taxes will increase. Is this the fault of local school boards?"
Yes, in our case, the new, exorbitant teacher contract, the grandiose buildings, and the wish list spending.
Our school board is responsible for these decisions not the state.
"Needless to say, our state representatives should be the focus of our (your) attacks regarding rising taxes, not schools and their boards."
The truth of the matter is that school boards spend money so much, so fast that the state cannot keep up.
The problem can be solved locally.
We can start with a new board with new ideas.
"However, until the state understands that something has to be done.."
We have waited over 30 years for change and nothing has happened.
If we wait any longer, we will not be doing it in Oley Valley.
"..is it fair to strip funding from the institutions which provide our community's youth with the knowledge and skills necesssary to become useful and contributing members of our society?"
The rallying cry for the status quo will not solve the problem.
There are a number of school districts in the state operating successfully under referendum.
Their test scores are equal to or better than our test scores.
If the board wants to spend more than necessary, they must get the approval of the community.
Spending without accountability does a disservice to the taxpayers and the students.
The school board is a bunch of liberals feeling good at taxpayer expense.
There are at least two real conserviatives on the board now. If you want to get rid of the tax and spenders, either run for office your self or campaign against the tax and spenders. The boards greatest tool is voter apathy. What would happen if every taxpayer in the district went to only one board meeting per year? You'd have a very nice crowd every time. Turn off American Idol and go to a meeting.
"There are at least two real conserviatives on the board now."
That is questionable. I believe that one of the conservatives is a strong advocate of squandering tax dollars on THE TRACK. What a shame that our track stars must run on a cinder track? Nothing 'Conservative' about that!
Anonymous said...
“I understand that local taxes are getting a little exorbitant, however, I am curious just how many people within the Oley Valley S.D. have lost their homes because of recent tax increases?
If one looks at the tax burden for residents of Oley and compares this to residents of other districts throughout the county, Oley's School Board has not done a terrible job in regards to year by year tax increases. People with properties of equal values in other districts are paying far more than their counterparts in Oley. The fact is, every district in the county is facing increasing costs and, as a result, property taxes will increase.
What has this person been smoking? As though because other school districts pay high taxes, that makes it right! Has anyone lost their home? Probably not yet, however how many had to choose between buying heath care insurance and purchasing medications? How many had to put off replacing a leaky roof or replacing an ailing furnace? (In the case for the furnace, a new replacement furnace would be thirty percent more efficient, however if not replaced the total household budget is exponentially compromised) How many adults will put off furthering their own education? How many graduates will have to apply for state (to further their education) assistance because their parents have to help pay for a track so seven percent of the student population will have their way? And yet the school is failing at providing basic education. Things have a way of coming back and bite you. The board (maybe a few) is acting like a bunch of spoiled kids.
Higher taxes will have a negative impact on property values. When appraising real estate, sold properties are used as a comparative approach to value (what someone was ready, willing and able to pay). It would be improper to use a sold property if it was located under a higher taxing authority (contiguous school districts)even if the comparable was identical to the appraised property.
In twenty-seven years as a real estate agent I have compromised my actions only a few times because it was the lesser of two evils. I dutifully avoid highly taxed school district while helping clients purchase real estate.
Our school tax with the proposed increase will raise taxes by $1,306.00 since 1999. That’s $108 per month. At “today’s” interest rates; a family purchasing a home will have and additional cost of $108 for every increment of $16,000 purchased. Conversely, this represents that the purchasing power of the buyer is diminished by $16,000. It used to be living in Montgomery County was a disadvantage because of high taxes. Moving closer to Montgomery County is now looking good. Boyertown has a student body of over seven thousand students and their taxes are lower then ours and last time I checked they have a cinder track.
A concern to homeowners is that we reach a saturation point in terms of paying school property taxes.
I shudder to think what would happen to real estate values in the Oley School District, if we all decided to leave the area at the same time.
There is a rumored belief that we are expendable because people from wealthier areas will buy our homes.
The school board's lack of vision, leadership, and compassion is disappointing.
"Has anyone lost their home? Probably not yet, however how many had to choose between buying heath [health] care insurance and purchasing medications?..."
And I suppose all of this is due to rising school taxes? You allude to part of the problem yourself in your argument - the cost of EVERYTHING is increasing at a rate which many people can't keep up with (look at the latest CPI figures). Is this solely a problem within the Oley Valley School District? I think not. It is a problem affecting people everywhere.
Despite the increases Oley Valley residents have seen in their taxes over the past 7 yrs., Oley has remained within the lower tier of districts contiguous to Berks Co. (99-00 school year Oley ranked 16th in millage of 18 co. schools, 00-01 16th, 01-02 12th, 02-03 9th, 03-04 10th, 04-05 10th, 05-06 11th). Thus, what this individual has been "smoking" is a true analysis of data. Oley's School Board has kept taxes down in relation to other districts throughout the county.
Are people losing their homes? Probably, but it can't be solely attributed to rising school taxes when the cost of everything else is increasing also. Furthermore, I saw a previous post on this site about a person complaining because their taxes increased app. $13,000 over the past 3 yrs. I however have little sympathy for this individual because if you look at the numbers this would mean that they are living in a home assessed at app. $600,000 (I wish I could be so fortunate).
Nevertheless, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, when these opinions are based on bits and pieces of data that only show part of the picture it's akin to ignorance (Do some research and see how AVE. HOUSEHOLD INCOME is computed).
Yes, something has to be done about rising property taxes. However, something also has to be done about the rising cost of everything. Don't solely attack your School Board and the District. Direct some of your antagonism towards our state and national government as well.
I wonder if Mr. Reinhart only does business in the Schuylkill Valley, Reading, Hamburg, Boyertown, Gov. Mifflin, Twin Valley and Wilson school districts. Don't forget that these areas are brimming with business and industry, and probably a higher crime rate.
There are currently ten districts with higher property taxes than Oley Valley. The highest is Antietam with 28.06.
Let's compare ourselves to the district most similar with regard to being rural, enrollment, one new building in the last ten years,etc. - Brandywine Heights, paying 26.50 mills compared to Oley Valley at 21.50.
Exorbitant is a subjective term.
I wonder if this real estate agent can tell you how much your property value would decrease if you lived in a district that didn't support its own sports, arts, music, bussing programs, none of which are "required".
What adds to the value are quality schools and the quiet rural atmosphere. That comes at a cost, and unfortunately it is tied to property taxes. Elect those who are serious about real property tax reform. There are no school director position on the ballot this year, but there are plenty of others who have a direct impact on our wallets.
No need to wonder I have conducted business in eleven counties... Berks, Montgomery, Chester, Bucks, Delaware, Lancaster, Schuylkill, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Philadelphia Counties.
It’s a big country, Brandywine, Fleetwood and Antietam are big hitting tax districts, and Oley, Tulpehocken and Hamburg have been attractively low mostly because they remain rural. Hamburg is growing; however businesses are being attracted along with 55 plus communities which help reduce the tax burden on households. Oley however is not growing with very little prospects of commercial, industrial and general business and that is what will hurt us. If the school is going to be competitive with Wilson, Governor Mifflin, Boyertown someone is going to pay. The question is do we need to be competitive in athletics? What’s next, football a swimming pool?
Planning for the future is one thing. Building infrastructure now in anticipation of growth can pay dividends in the future, however what are we anticipating? Most of the communities around Oley are rural with no anticipation of building sewer treatment plants therefore don’t anticipate commercial establishment to come to the rescue. It is safe to say that it would be great if we can remain rural, we don’t need the traffic jams, but we need to be good stewards and realize the likelihood of Oley reaching three thousand students maybe way off into the future. Comparatively Boyertown has just over seven thousand students. I am content with Oley remaining small, if I believed I need a mega school, I would simply move.
The person saying in the few blogs above this does not know anything. He never goes to board meetings, he never see's the budget, and yet he has the nerve to say do not blame the board. What a fool this person is. If he really cared about Oley and ALL the children he would know that this board now and in the past are spending out of control with our tax dollars.. Education comes first, sports second. Children will not make it out of college if they are not educated correctly, with the right materials. We have out-dated books. If you really care you would shut up and start coming to all the meetings and see how this board runs this school. It is a disgrace, like you they like to spend our money on big non-educational items. Just look at the high school and see how many children are dropping out and not going to college, and 60 juniors had to take the PSSA over this year as seniors because they were basic or below. SO EDUCATION MUST COME FIRST. SPORTS SECOND UNLESS YOU CAN COME UP WITH THE MONEY ON YOUR OWN!!!!
"the cost of EVERYTHING is increasing at a rate which many people can't keep up with (look at the latest CPI figures). Is this solely a problem within the Oley Valley School District? I think not..."
It is the school board who voted to approve a teacher contract whose average salary increase is 4.6% over five years.
It is the school board that gives near full health benefits to the teachers.
It is the school board that gives the superintendent a $13,000 one-year pay increase, and a new five year contract.
It is the school board that builds a $22,000,000 middle school for the benefit of one grade of students and whose cost overruns top $600,000.
It is the school board that has a $1,200,000 lawsuit over the Middle School still hanging over our heads.
It is the school board that adds personnel when school enrollment is decreasing and projected to decline by the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education.
"Oley's School Board has kept taxes down in relation to other districts throughout the county. "
The applauding of a 53% increase in property taxes since 1999 may sound like success to some, but not to most homeowners in our district.
We are a small, middle income, bedroom community. We will not be able to keep pace with these tax increases.
We have spent millions on education, but student test scores are nearly the same today as they were in 1999. That is not a good return on educational tax dollars in anybody's book.
"Are people losing their homes? Probably, but it can't be solely attributed to rising school taxes when the cost of everything else is increasing also."
School property taxes are a major expense in a middle-income community. The increase in property taxes far exceeds the rate of inflation as well as the earned income increases of district wage earners.
The school board ignores these facts to the plight of homeowners.
"Yes, something has to be done about rising property taxes."
A new school board with new ideas.
"Let's compare ourselves to the district most similar with regard to being rural, enrollment, one new building in the last ten years,etc. - Brandywine Heights, paying 26.50 mills compared to Oley Valley at 21.50."
To suggest that we should be grateful that our millage has reached 21.50 in 2005 from 14.98 in 1999 offers no consolation.
Every school district overspends, some more grotesquely than others. None of the school boards deserve any praise whatsoever.
"I wonder if this real estate agent can tell you how much your property value would decrease if you lived in a district that didn't support its own sports, arts, music, bussing programs, none of which are "required".
The taxpayers have an obligation to pay for education.
Extra curricula activities, such as sports, arts, and music should be a compliment to education.
It is not the obligation of taxpayers to pay for these activities whose costs rise to the point where they take away funds for education.
Although not required by law, school districts do transport students.
However, if it gets to a point where busing is abused as sports have become, then pay for use becomes a legitimate remedy.
A more viable option may be to move to Delaware, where there are no property taxes. PA is a hostile state to live in if you are a senior citizen.
Senior Citizens should not have to move out of the homes that they lived in and raised their children in just because this Oley board likes to mishandle our money and spend our money on non-educational items. Let us stick together and fight this battle, if enough of us care we will not be forced to move. This is our school, let us take it back to the way it was. Come on, start coming to meetings and get involved. Next meeting is April 12th and 6pm in the administration building.
I've been looking in on this blog from time to time and I'm amazed at the hostility and name calling toward the school board that goes on here. Who are you people who say "let us tick together"? I've been to board meetings over the years and no one cares what the district does, other wise there would always be a crowd. The roster of citizens who attend regularly is maybe 4 or 6 people. Many meetings have one citizens in attendance. Comittee meetings especially. Someone here said they want Oley "back to the way it was". Well, ya can't time travel. Things, society, more split families, increase in drug use, increassed health care costs for everyone, on and on, make these conditions for all of us much different than those in the 70's and earlier. Sure this Oley administration isn't even close to being good, but attacking it isn't going to move it forward. It's been said here people want to change for the better, I haven't heard any real suggestions presented. The tone is nasty witch hunting. If you present real ideas rather than complaints in a civil, positive manner I'm sure you'll get a civil professional response. OK, bash me now.
The school board has always been given a pass, no more. That is a change for the better.
WHY WASTE OUR TIME BASHING SOMEONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT. IF YOU EVER WENT TO A MEETING AND OPENED YOUR EYES AND EARS YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN HOW THIS BOARD ACTS AND TREATS THE TAXPAYERS, WE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE BLOODY MAD. OUR TAXES KEEP GOING UP AND THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN KEEP GOING TO THE TOLIET. THE BOARD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND IN THE MEANTIME WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO STAY ANGRY UNTIL WE SEE CHANGES. ANYONE THAT DOES NOT SEE WHAT WE SEE IS JUST AS NASTY AS THE BOARD.
Hey thanks for the bashing. I knew you ALL CAPS screamer couldn't resist. I like your line, "anyone who dosen't see what we see is just as nasty as the board." That's code for, everyone elses opinion is wrong because they aren't us. Oley's problem isn't the entire board. The problem is Zackon, Heckman, Richards, Cappa who is just a goofball, and a inept middle school principal and a burnt out elementary principal. Concentrate on replacing them. That will free the rest of the board to shed light in alot of areas. For the record, I don't support a new track and I'm not an Oley graduate.
I haven't visited this site for several months and will probably not again for a long while- if I can resist the temptation. Despite that, from a quick sampling, I see I have gotten credit for some comments I never made and have been heartbreakingly attacked by some anonymously brave,superior beings.I am pleasantly surprised that there are some rational and thoughtful commentaries that have appeared in the last few months such as those by "registered nurse" and a few by "anonymous". As before, most seem long on emotional, vague, unsubstantiated and nasty accusations and short on specific facts and suggestions that actually are relevent and rational. Many of the "facts" are less than true and the conclusions drawn from them are not logical. There are so many comments to comment on and so little room on the internet! I was going to continue by responding to some of them specifically, but I don't see the point. This difference of opinion on the quality of Oley education, the spending of $ on whatever, the sanity of the board or of its hecklers, etc., will always be subjects of disagreement. The only thing we can be sure of is that, when we do all agree on something, we will almost certainly be wrong. The rest of the time,statistically, you are going to be wrong more often them I am.
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