In a recent edition of the Sewickley Herald, two Quaker Valley residents offered views concerning the tax impact of the proposed new high school project.
One view, representing the QV Strong group, said a school costing $73 million would only result in a taxpayer increase between $5 a month ($60 per year) and $9 a month ($108 per year). This is based on a mean assessment of $227,750. Mr. Scott Antoline (QV financial director) did a 34-page presentation on taxes and in a published interview said a $73 million school would be a $206 increase; $87 million a $272 increase; and $95 million a $305 increase.
The other group, Citizens for a Great School, said tax increases are cumulative. A tax payment of $4,300 was 15% less five years ago and will be 15% more five years from now, and in 10 years the tax will be nearly doubled.
There is an agreement among both groups that a new or remodeled school is needed. The difference is one group says to proceed with little concern about the tax input, and the opposing view is the district should be fiscally responsible.
If we could build a new school for a tax impact of only $5-$9 per month, I would agree we should proceed immediately. I do not think this is possible and I would suggest an honest discussion of the tax impact.
One area the district could look at is the $27,000 per student cost in Quaker Valley. Nine other Western Pennsylvania schools that outrank QV in the latest survey spend approximately $19,000 per student. If this could be reduced (fiscal responsibility) a few thousand dollars, then maybe a new school could be built with a reasonable tax impact.
What do you think? Contact your school board representative before it’s too late.
Robert L. Steup
Edgeworth
