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Education and Schools
School facilities
- There has been rapid population growth throughout Chester County and schools have become overcrowded. School enrollment increases are requiring new and expanded facilities. School districts are faced with planning ahead for expansion. Cooperation between school districts and municipalities is important for sharing information about proposed development to assist school districts with projecting future enrollment changes.
- New schools are not always welcomed by neighboring property owners. The location of new school facilities has many impacts on the local community. Municipal cooperation with school districts is important, through the subdivision and land development process, to locate new schools where they meet the objectives of both parties. The relationship between school properties and surrounding neighborhoods is very important. The location affects transportation and access to schools for students, staff, and residents. The local municipality may lose some taxable land while providing services to a new school, and there are traffic impacts on the neighborhood to consider. However, they will gain a valuable community facility for students and local residents.
- It is difficult for school districts to keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies. New technology demands affect school building design and construction. Computers, communication and other technology have created a need for additional space for new and existing schools. Cables and utilities need to be installed and classrooms need to be reconfigured in existing schools. The design of new schools must be forward thinking and flexible to accommodate rapidly changing new technology, and to avoid obsolescence and costly revisions.
- Alternative approaches to education create the need for cooperation among school districts. New and alternative teaching programs have created new ways of organizing schools and sharing resources. New programs and technology are permitting schools to reconsider building design, grade configurations, and course offerings. Secondary schools are beginning to work closely with colleges and universities. Communications technology enables students in different schools and school districts to take the same course from one teacher. This may make it possible to justify offering a course that would not have enough students in any one facility.
Finance and taxation
- School enrollment increases, new technology, and new programs are increasing costs and requiring tax increases. The desire to maintain top ranked schools, and provide technical proficiency and job skills, sometimes conflicts with the ability or willingness of the community to provide funding for them. Many families are stretched financially and some have sought reassessment of their properties because of high property taxes.
- School districts are facing strong community opposition when proposals for expanded facilities require a local tax increase. The state share of school costs is far below the national average and ranks Pennsylvania near the bottom of the 50 states: In 2004-05, the state share of school costs funded by the state budget amounted to 35.8%. Nationally, the average is closer to 50 % paid by the state. (Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education and May 2003 reports from the National Center for Education Statistics).
- The amount of state appropriations on a per pupil basis also lags the national average: State government spending per student in Pennsylvania averages $3,475, while the national average for annual state support for students is $4,253 per student. According to NCES, Pennsylvania ranks 36 of the 50 states in support per student. (Source: National Center for Education Statistics).
- As a result of insufficient state funding, public education in Pennsylvania is more dependent on local taxes than in most states, and school district property taxes in Pennsylvania are therefore among the highest in the country. Residents, especially households without children, oppose tax increases and construction projects. New legal requirements for voter approval of tax increases may increase this conflict. Many communities oppose residential developments for families with children, but support retirement communities that will not add children to the schools. This may lead to less diverse communities and perhaps different problems.
Because of great differences in both the assessed value of properties within individual districts and, in some cases, rapidly increasing enrollments, property tax rates and per student spending varies widely in the County. The Pennsylvania Department of Education has recently released a “Costing Out Study” that estimates the cost of educational services among school districts.
Transportation
- School busing has become more complex with population increases. Increased enrollment, longer trips, busing to private schools, dual enrollment programs, and after school activities have impacted school transportation services. The location of student bus stops is a critical safety concern. Many neighborhood schools that were within walking distance of students have been closed in recent decades, usually to be replaced by large consolidated schools to which students are bused. This is usually done in the name of efficiency, the need for modern facilities, and the desire for a campus-like setting.
- School sites must accommodate many different means of transportation in addition to school buses. Drop-off facilities are needed for parents who drive their kids to school. The increase in student drivers with cars has created a need for larger parking areas at high schools. School locations near to neighborhoods and with pedestrian access can increase the number of students who walk to school. However, conflicts arise between ensuring the safety of walkers and accommodating the increases in vehicular traffic.
Education and Schools | Emergency Services | Human Services | Public Health | Other Services
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