The Panther Valley School District, comprised of Coaldale, Nesquehoning, Summit Hill, and Lansford, was a party to a successful lawsuit that said the Pennsylvania method of funding schools was unconstitutional. Districts with low property values have been losing out.
You would expect the legislators who represent the people of the Panther Valley School district–Sen. Argall in the State Senate and Rep. Doyle Heffley in the State House–would be leading the charge to reform the property tax system of funding, especially since they’ve been talking about it for over a decade. You’d be wrong.
Nonetheless, and in spite of the lack of funding, Panther Valley High School students this week won the Carbon County Quiz Bowl, beating all the other high schools in the County. Along with that came the victory of Brenda Banks, who won the first ever PIAA girls state wrestling tournament in her class. Ms. Banks was honored with fire truck parades in Nesquehoning, Lansford, Summit Hill, and Coaldale.
I don’t live in the Panther Valley School district, but for some reason I feel proud.
Info for this post came from articles in the Mar. 15 issue of the Times News by Jarrad Hades and Patrick Matsinko.
Haven't they been fighting about school funding in PA for more than a decade. Hasn't the state lost multiple funding lawsuits? How can we make something happen?
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, and I wish I knew.
ReplyDelete