Directors of Quakertown Community School District will continue to be elected by region rather than at-large, at least for this year. That was the determination of Bucks County Judge Robert Mellon. And he was right. But that doesn't mean the law is right. You decide...
Fourteen hundred people signed a petition to elect all nine directors at-large. Their discontent was reminiscent of the famous 1773 Boston Tea Party - no taxation without representation. They are fed up with out-of-control school spending, and taxes, especially since they have no voice in selecting most of the folks who make those taxing and spending decisions.
American election laws, which assure that every vote counts for every office (except perhaps President), don't apply to school boards. Our borough councils, township supervisors, judges, county and state officials, and state and federal congressmen, are all elected at-large. But school board members determine their own electoral process! Our directors have kept QCSD divided into three voting regions, allowing every voter a say in only one-third of the members, although board decisions affect everyone equally.
They raised your taxes more than 50 percent in five years; hired huge school staffs; agreed to enormous salaries; and ignored the educational chaos of Integrated Math. They get away with it because they are the officials least answerable to the voters. They have severely limited your opportunity to remove members who do not meet your expectations, or to elect candidates who promise reforms. That is the current system. It is legal. But it isn't right.
Thirteen residents, including Richland supervisor Rick Orloff, Haycock supervisor Henry DePue, and board members Paul Stepanoff of Haycock and Manuel Alfonso of Milford, hoped to end the tax-and-spend cycle, and to advocate for everyone stuck with the QCSD bills and failings. They circulated that at-large petition to give a meaningful vote to all residents. Stepanoff and Alfonso were willing to risk their own geographically-elected seats because they believe that board members should represent all citizens of the district.
They hired an attorney at their own expense to take the issue to court. Not surprisingly, the other seven board members opposed changing their own system that keeps them in power. They preside over a district that has the lowest SAT scores in the area, but one of the highest teacher salary scales in the state. They are fighting for their political lives, and retaining small regions greatly restricts their potential challengers. Their own surveys show wide-spread discontent among graduates and parents. And there are those taxes...
And if that doesn't just burn your books, those seven battlin' board members are represented by an attorney paid for by the school district. By you. The 1400 people who signed the petition, and everyone else angered by the whole situation, has their own tax money used against them!!! Even worse, all residents of Quakertown and Milford are being charged for additional attorneys to help those seven keep their seats.
Both sides presented their arguments to Judge Mellon. The outcome was clear in the first five minutes. The board's plan was adequate under the existing statute. Although the petitioners were able to show that there was a more equal, perhaps "better" alternative, Pennsylvania law does not require the board to adopt the "better", or "best" plan. Or even what the people prefer. Just one that qualifies under the statute.
A new board could change the election plan, but until then, 38,000 people are stuck with an outmoded system designed to make it easier for incumbents to stay in control. If you are upset by the high salaries, educational failures, skyrocketing taxes (3.97 percent increase again this year, the highest allowed by law), and the arrogance of power, you can soon vote for major changes. Or even be an important part of making them...
The reformers are assembling a slate of community-minded citizens to challenge the five members up for re-election this year. To finally manage expenses, and lower our school taxes. They are looking for one more energetic candidate, a resident of Quakertown borough, willing to advocate for all students, and all residents. After all, that is the real key to a responsible school board, not where the members live, or what segment of the population elects them. Interested? Email reformqcsd@yahoo.com.
So who are the winners and losers here?
Winner: In the short term, the five current board members who have set themselves up with an easier path to re-election in 2007.
Loser: In the short term, all residents of QCSD, who again have their options narrowed by supposed public servants. But that loss can be reversed.
Winner: Those same QCSD residents. All of the publicity, and the revelations about how this board has failed the community, have awakened everyone to the importance of school board elections.
Loser: Brian Kline. Again. The two-time loser for Richland supervisor took the rather questionable approach of challenging the petition signed by 1400 people, more than 400 of whom are from Richland. One man attempting to substitute his own political agenda for their genuine concerns. Judge Mellon saw right through it. He didn't even allow Kline to make the argument.
Winner: The 13 men and women who stood up for their community, and with their own time and money tried to do something about the high taxes and poor performance. And what can you do? Vote wisely in May.
"Psychiatrist" Z Guilty Again
It is no surprise that Richland Supervisor Mike Zowniriw lost his criminal appeal for throwing a rock at his neighbor's child. Judge Mellon called Z's actions "road rage", and ruled that Mike lacked "credibility and believability". No news there.
But the best part came when Zowniriw testified that he was "like a psychiatrist" studying the boy's reactions. Even Mellon had to cover his face to keep from laughing. But Z is a township supervisor. Are you laughing?