Their first month on the job, the two newest school board
members already have a budget crisis to tackle. Bob DeGroot
would like to see concessions from the teachers union. Cindy
McCurdy says she's not yet ready to reveal her proposal.
Bob DeGroot and Cindy McCurdy took a job no one else
wanted.
Noticing that no one was listed on the primary election
ballot to fill two upcoming vacant seats on the Palisades
School Board, the Upper Bucks residents stepped up to the
plate.
After running unopposed, even cross-filing for both the
Democratic and Republican parties in November's election,
DeGroot and McCurdy will start the new year with the new role
as school board members.
DeGroot replaces former member David Oleksa. McCurdy
replaces former member Theodora Moyer.
The pair already has a big task in front of them. As part
of the nine member board, DeGroot and McCurdy's first
assignment will be to tackle a difficult budget. Due to a
hefty drop in tax revenue, the Palisades School District is
facing a $2.5 million shortfall in the 2010-11 school year.
Homeowners could be asked to shell out an additional $235 in
property taxes next year, according to a preliminary budget
draft.
The average tax bill for residents in the Palisades
community could jump from $3,539 to $3,774.
DeGroot, 67, a longtime Nockamixon Township resident, says
he might be looking to the teachers union for help.
"I'm a little bit upset about the raises and everything
going on because of the job situation and the pension
situation and the expenses going up. It's getting more and
more frustrating," said DeGroot, referring to the recent
Palisades teachers contract and an expected spike in pension
contributions in the next few years that could have all
Pennsylvania school districts paying 30 percent of their
payroll costs to the teachers' pension fund, rather than the
current 5 percent.
Last year, Palisades teachers signed a new three-year
contract that called for 3 percent raises each year during the
life of the deal and no increase in their health care
contributions. Palisades teachers pay 11 percent of their Blue
Cross/Blue Shield Personal Choice health care plan costs.
According to the contract, new teachers are hired at
$41,500. Those working at the top of the pay scale, which
includes 16 years of experience and a master's degree plus 36
credits, earn $98,500.
In 2010-11, salaries and benefits at Palisades are expected
to increase by $1.3 million.
Overall, salaries and benefits make up more than 65 percent
of the early budget.
"The only alternative there would be a concession from the
union. It's something that needs to be pursued. As they see
the economy as it sits and all the situations with
foreclosures and reassessments, maybe they'll sit down and
take a little notice and forestall their raise for the next
couple of years. Otherwise, we'll be cutting crucial
services," said DeGroot, who also owns and manages the Revere
General Store.
New board member McCurdy hesitated to discuss how she plans
to handle the budget crisis.
"I have some changes (to propose), but right now I'm not
really voicing my opinion. I'm basically just sitting and
watching and listening," said McCurdy, who declined to give
further details. "I've got a little bit more research to make
sure my T's are crossed before I go ahead, but it will
definitely bring notice."
McCurdy says she's not ready to disclose if she favors a
$235 tax increase or plans to cut costs.
"I was elected by the residents, and one of my goals is to
keep the taxes down, and so we'll see where that takes us,"
said McCurdy, 51, a 13-year resident of Springfield Township.
She hinted that she might like to see cuts in district
spending.
"There's a few things in the back burner that I question
for spending. I think there're definitely places to cut back,
but that will be discussed in the very near future," said
McCurdy, who is employed as a payroll administrator at a
manufacturing company.
As part of the board, DeGroot will also serve on the
finance committee. This is his second round as school board
member. He had served on the board for two terms about 15
years ago.
The married father of two says he's impressed with how much
the educational value has improved since then.
And as he looks toward a new term, the board member says he
would like to see more "clean" businesses move into rural
Upper Bucks townships, such as offices, shipping warehouses
and trucking outlets; all which would generate more tax
revenue for municipalities and the school district.
DeGroot would also like to see three districts, Palisades,
Pennridge and Quakertown Community, share more resources, such
as an instructor who teaches an atypical high school foreign
language.
McCurdy will serve as an alternate member of the Upper
Bucks Vocational-Technical School's Joint Operating Committee.
The married mother of three also serves on Springfield
Township's Environmental Advisory Committee. She made an
unsuccessful bid for township supervisor in 2005.
She says she's happy with the district, but would like to
see Palisades put an emphasis on other extracurricular
activities besides athletics.
DeGroot and McCurdy were sworn in as board members Dec. 8.
Their terms expire in 2013.
Palisades School Board is expected to vote on the
preliminary budget at its meeting Jan. 6.
Amanda Cregan can be reached at 215-538-6371 or acregan@phillyBurbs.com.