"The deck is stacked against the taxpayer and in reality, there is no functioning Republican Party in the community, at least not one which would be recognized by its founders, who could not have imagined that teachers would someday be paid over $100,000 in today's dollars (or that the public would be compelled by the police powers of government to construct and to subsidize the operation of a luxurious, palatial recreation center against their will)."The middle class is being pushed out. In Mt. Lebanon, the School Board doesn't have a clue as to the meaning of "prudent spending." The Municipality gets around it by charging fees.
But then, the unbelievable happened. On Rt. 19, near Boyce Road, a bank courier van spilled money well into six figures. Police recovered about $400 of it.
9 comments:
I'm confused. Last week you were telling us that we should all move our families (at least those of us with school aged kids) to USC. The grass (and turf) is much greener over there, you suggested. The folks who have left Lebo for those greener pastures love it, we were told. USC doesn't have the problems that Lebo has, you urged. Apparently Mr. Spiegler didn't get the memo. Maybe we should guve Mr. Spiegler a Lebo sweatshirt for Xmas because in Lebo we would NEVER subsidize the construction and operation of a RECREATION center! For kids? The horror!!
And what's this? Today I read in the P-G that the folks who run the uber school district are opposed to vouchers too!!
Upper St. Clair school board opposes state legislation that would use public funds for private schools
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11335/1193588-55.stm
What gives Elaine? Perhaps the USC - LEBO comparison reveals only a distinction without a difference . . .
Dave Franklin
I knew that would confuse you, Dave. I still believe you get a better education in USC. I doubt Mr. Spieler would want to wear a Lebo sweatshirt, unless he wants to support 10.5% tax increases and non-tax fees.
Elaine.
Sorry, Mr. Spiegler, for misspelling your name.
Elaine
Dave here are a couple of key differences.
According to USC's school district budget report - expenditures for 2011-12 are $59.2 million dollars.
MTLSD's on the other hand are $78.2 million!
Now before you run off and start making comparison about amenities or whatever, do not forget USC has plenty of space for expansion. They're debating right now whether to allow retail expansion on the old Consol site. There are plenty of lots available for new homes.
Giffen Good
David, What happened to the soccer association's $125,000 that they are not contributing to McNeilly Field?
Elaine, my comments were largely in jest. However, it sure sounds like Mr. Spiegler believes that he is being taxed out of his home in USC. He ends his letter by suggesting, "In many respects, my wife and I chose the wrong place to live. Thanks a lot, Upper Saint Clair School Board (and spendthrift Commissioners)!" Perhaps we pitch in and buy him a South Fayette sweatshirt . . .
I also spent a few minutes comparing the USC fee schedule to the Lebo schedule. Differences abound. They have fees that we don't and vice versa. Some of their fees are more than ours, some less. I did find it interesting though that if you want to use one of the Community Rooms at the tax payer funded Rec Center in USC, you'll pay $35 IF you're a member paying an additional $82/month. By comparison, if you want to rent one of the rooms at our Rec center, you'll pay $18 or $35, no $82/month membership required.
Even if I accept you argument that USC offers a slightly better education, it sounds like there are just as many people in USC who believe the education and amenities are coming at too high a cost. Further, any negligible difference is outweighed (at least for my family) by the makeup and offerings within Mt. Lebanon. I wouldn't trade Beverly Rd or Washington Rd for anything in USC. But hey, that's just me.
Mr. Good, perhaps I'm oversimplifying this, but Lebo has about 1,175 more students than USC, more buildings (10 v. 6) and more teachers, so I'm pretty sure budget totals are not an apples to apples comparison.
However, if I divide the USC budget ($59 million) by its student population (4,122), I get a cost per child of $14,313. When I divide the Lebo budget ($78 million) by its student population (5,297), I get a cost per child of $14,725. A difference of just $412, for what is clearly a largely district.
Breaking it down differently, if we divide the same budget totals by the overall number of households, the cost of the schools in USC equals $8,469 per household vs. $5,731 per household in Lebo.
Again, I may be oversimplifying it, but those are the numbers.
And yes, Mr. Ewing, I am continuing to ignore you.
Dave Franklin
Ah! David won't tell us what happened to the $125,000 the Soccer Association should be contributing to the McNeilly soccer fields.
Come to think about it, that money should have grown over the years, perhaps to $150,000. Now that ought to build a nice snack bar and at least one smelly toilet like the one the D.A.S. won't maintain on Cedar Blvd.
Mr. Franklin I agree with you. I wouldn't trade Beverly of Washington Roads either.
You didn't compare millage rates, but USC has plenty of space to expand their tax base. Unfortunately, MTL doesn't that I know of.
What is funny that inspite of rising payrolls and pension reponsibilites both districts are crying for MORE money. Ferderal and state coffers are dry so where does it come from?
Giffen Good
To save time according to Allegheny County Treasures website-
USC SD - 24.10 mills
MTL SD - 26.63 mills
USC Muni - 4.60 mills
MTL Muni - 4.76 mills
Giffen Good
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