Trinity board must answer questions
Residents of Trinity Area School District just received a tax increase of 8.8 mills from Trinity Area School Board. This is the largest tax increase in Washington County, and brings the total increases to 18.8 mills during the tenure of the present board.
I use the word “tenure,” which is associated with the education profession since most, if not all, of the present board is affiliated in some way with the Pennsylvania State Education Association or some other union, and uses them to keep their seats.
These millage increases mean the board has increased taxes on a homeowner in the district by an average of $300 over the last several years if they have a home with an assessed value of $15,000. This, coupled with the property reassessments that will be reflected in 2017 tax notices, will create a financial nightmare for Trinity residents, especially senior citizens.
In order to be accountable to the taxpayers and provide for transparency, the board needs to respond in detail to several questions:
• What happened to the $5 million surplus the Trinity district had in 2011-12?
• What has been done with the recommendation of the consultant to reconfigure grades and how buildings are used in the district? The consultant said it could save the district $3 million.
• Why have student parking fees increased from $30 to $150 per year, while employees continue to park for free?
• Why was the transportation contract awarded to a Canadian company that was not the lowest bidder?
• What benefit has been achieved by spending more money every year?
• Why hasn’t this board at least discussed supporting bills in the Pennsylvania House and Senate that would eliminate property taxes?
It is time to hold the district accountable for its spending. Given the pattern of this board, many residents of the district will experience financial difficulty. The board does not have the expertise to run a $53 million business and its members should resign or be replaced.
Tom Bodnovich
Washington
Editor’s note: Bodnovich is a former president of Trinity Area School Board.