East Penn Survey Results: Turn out the Lights and Freeze Salaries

East Penn School District posted a survey on its web site Feb. 1 asking residents for ideas about how to increase revenue and reduce costs.

It was completed March 1 and the results are now available for download on the district’s site, and they are also attached to this article.

There are 49 anonymous answers to the survey with a few “not opposed” to a tax increase to “maintain the quality of the district” and prepare students “to face the challenges of the rest of the world.”

To raise revenue, “renting out” the district’s facilities was a common idea. As was seeking sponsorship from businesses for sports teams, or for the rights to name district  buildings or wings.

Perhaps the most popular revenue raising idea was to charge students (and parents) more and higher fees for extracurricular activities such as sports and drama.

On the reduction of costs side, some suggested the district save money on paper and postage by using email to send out announcement and report cards rather than the U.S. mail. Others suggested the district could save on utilities by shutting off lights and installing energy-saving fixtures.

As to direct cuts, teachers were the target; freezing salaries was a suggestion as was limiting pay increases and contributions to a teacher’s retirement. One idea was to "out source" classes to computer-based learning companies.

Some of the responses called to "eliminate all adult education classes. Similarly, a couple people suggested combining schools under one principal instead of two.

East Penn faces a tough budget process, made worse recently when Gov. Tom Corbett announced his cuts to public education.

School Board President, Charles Ballard, who is running for re-election this year, said the board will get an update on the district’s budget process tonight, at the regular board meeting.

East Penn Superintendent Dr. Thomas L. Seidenberger has said that part of his plan includes communicating more with residents about the budget. The survey was one part of that.

The survey results are attached. The school board meets today, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the district offices.