NEW CASTLE —
Necessity — so they say — is the mother of invention.
That helps to explain a recent spate of reports that school districts in Lawrence County are exploring the possibilities of merging with each other.
Plans for tax increases this year met with public resistance at a time when the economy is in poor shape. Where property owners might tolerate tax hikes in better times, there’s little sympathy for higher levies when jobs are lost or employment is uncertain.
Public opposition to increased spending thus becomes a driving force, as school districts are obliged to pursue other options.
And one of those options, it seems, is to consider mergers.
Combining school districts at this stage is hardly a sure thing. As we have written previously, the blending of districts is a complicated process that requires an analysis of finances, buildings, transportation and other factors.
And, inevitably, any move along these lines will meet resistance from those who oppose change of any sort. School loyalties — including support for specific sports teams — can come into play, as emotion clashes with other realities.
But school districts do not exist for athletic competition or to otherwise create a sense of identity. They exist to educate students. The goal is to accomplish that task in as thorough and cost-effective manner as possible.
Those who believe that merging local school districts offers the potential for long-term benefits (we include ourself in that group) need to be aware of the natural resistance to these efforts that exists.
This resistance is likely to grow as the notion of mergers moves from the talking to studying phase. It’s always possible to find reasons to oppose a new idea. Responsible people know the benefits of weighing both the advantages and disadvantages of change.
Talk of school district mergers should not be viewed as a short-term distraction to the financial problems school districts face. Those problems will persist into the future and must be addressed.
Not only are personnel costs continuing to rise — with pension expenses making them worse — but many districts are wrestling with declining student enrollments at the same time they are trying to justify tax increases.
We acknowledge that the merger of school districts is an ambitious undertaking, fraught with uncertainties.
But that’s no reason to oppose such efforts. Instead, it’s a good reason to get the ball rolling as soon as possible, as a means of ensuring quality and fiscally responsible education in Lawrence County.
Editorials
EDITORIAL: Merger matters
- Editorials
-
-
Congress acts to close information loophole, but is it enough?
It’s generally recognized that knowledge is power. That’s why some knowledge deserves equal treatment. Perhaps that assessment is most appropriate when it comes to information held by government. Government data and the collection of information, after all, comes courtesy of tax dollars, so everyone should have equal access to its benefits.
-
High court forces lawmakers back to drawing board
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision to throw out a legislative redistricting plan exposes a fundamental truth: The mapping of House and Senate districts in the commonwealth have nothing to do with representation or serving the people.
-
Our Opinion: City hurts businesses by ticketing during lunch hours
Most of the candidates running (and now elected) for New Castle City Council and mayor last year said they believed downtown redevelopment was important. This was a common theme during editorial board meetings at the New Castle News prior to last spring’s primary and before the general election.
-
Citizens offer to take open seat on New Castle City Council
It’s good to see there is so much interest in serving on New Castle City Council. On Tuesday, council interviewed nine citizens who have expressed a desire to fill an existing vacancy. The only unfortunate part is that most of these people weren’t interested in the post last year, when it was on the ballot.
-
Second thoughts
County commissioner decides to take charge of prison board
-
Our Opinion, Part 2: Mayor’s hiring of his son raises more serious questions
If you ask New Castle residents to identify the biggest problem in local government, one word will stand out:
Nepotism. The term, of course, refers to the hiring of one’s relatives for positions, regardless of the fact others are equally — or more — deserving of available positions. -
Our Opinion: Why didn’t council keep Chief Tom Sansone?
Last week, a majority on city council refused to confirm Mayor Anthony Mastrangelo’s appointment of Tom Sansone to continue as police chief. For the moment, the city has no police chief, and city residents are left to wonder why.
-
Writers reveal ignorance of school board politics
Editor, The News: In a recent edition of The News there was a letter by James Smith that caught my attention.
-
Fairness is consideration in Jameson Hospital’s request to city
Jameson Hospital wants New Castle to give it a break. And it’s something city council should consider — if doing so makes sense, and if it is fair to all.
-
Proposal to cut size of Legislature moves modestly ahead
Efforts to streamline Pennsylvania’s Legislature took a step forward this week. But plenty of additional steps remain in what promises to be a daunting process.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Congress acts to close information loophole, but is it enough?
