Mt. Lebanon school board President Elaine Cappucci was recently quoted as saying that if the school district did not raise taxes (again), the Mt. Lebanon schools would be “decimated.” Mt. Lebanon has repeatedly raised taxes on its residents over the past several years, either through millage increases or by targeting individual property owners in court for higher tax assessments. Recently, in collaboration with the township, a legal group was hired to go after 150 new residents who bought their homes in 2011 and 2012 for higher tax assessments via what amounts to a “newcomer’s tax.”
First, Ms. Cappucci’s hyperbolic comment about the state of Mt. Lebanon schools is manipulative and irresponsible. Mt. Lebanon has good teachers and kids who largely have support at home; there is no risk of imminent decimation. Having worked in schools in New York and Detroit, I have seen decimated schools. Kids come to school abused and hungry. Teachers are unsupported and ill-trained. The physical environment is not only unpleasant but dangerous. Mt. Lebanon’s schools will not be decimated if taxes are not raised. It is just that school officials will need to make choices they are not used to making (while 95 percent of school districts around the country would love to be even in their pared-down condition).
Further, Mt. Lebanon Commissioner David Brumfield wants to expand unfair taxing from buyers of homes in 2011-2012 to those who bought in 2006-2010 and 2013. At a recent meeting, he expressed happiness with the fact that such a move would raise an additional $14 million. But who authorized a budget increase of $14 million? What do they need all that money for? And do Mt. Lebanon residents ever get to say “enough is enough”?
The township’s budget already has increased from just under $40 million in 2011 to just under $50 million in 2013. The school district’s proposed budget for 2014-15 is $94 million. This is approximately $144 million to run the schools and municipality in a midsized suburban community in Western Pennsylvania — an annual budget larger than that of some entire nations.
Like an addict whose solitary goal increasingly becomes getting cash for the next fix, Mt. Lebanon has become addicted to revenue and has shown an increased willingness to achieve the intake of public dollars at all costs. But if Mt. Lebanon does not quell its appetite for the people’s cash, the one thing that will be decimated is the idea that this particular community in the South Hills is a good place to move to and live.
JASON MARGOLIS
Mt. Lebanon
Update April 3, 2014 10:20 AM The following letter to the editor appeared in 04.02.14 edition of The Almanac. Lebo assessments grossly unfair (Saved in Google Docs)
Update April 3, 2014 4:18 PM The letter in the first update states that there are homes with garages that were assessed improperly. The county database has more fields than what is published on the county website. The website will only show garages that are part of the dwelling. If a garage is attached or detached it will have a “0” after garage on the website. In most cases the county assessed the detached and attached garage and has that information on the property record card. The property record card can be purchased for .25 per page. Contact the county at 412-350-4600 to inquire about obtaining a property record card on any property in Allegheny County.
This is valuable information. Why? If the property record card is wrong, your tax bill is wrong!
12 comments:
If this is the same Jason Margolis I think it is, our elected officials should take heed to his advice and wisdom.
Excellent letter, Mr. Margolis.
Mr. Margolis,
Excellent letter. You asked what the commission needs all that money for. I believe it is to fund their pet projects. I don't know if you are aware of the fact that if you support their pet projects, you are rewarded by having your home's underassessment overlooked. It isn't true in all cases, but I am finding overwhelming evidence which supports my statement.
I am glad to see that you have issues with our drama queen school board president. I think that is one of the credentials required to become a school board president. It appears that there are some school board directors being groomed for the position. I have found dealing with Mrs. Cappucci to be "interesting," at best. I have been scolded by readers here, that my attitude needs an adjustment. I relieved that I am in good company.
I hope people like yourself start coming to commission meetings and school board meetings. I hear there will be quite a crowd at the April 8 commission meeting. I look forward to meeting you.
Elaine
Mr Margolis,
Your letter was excellent! In fact, it was stellar!
However, I just want to caution you about your activism. Mt Lebanon is not a nice place.
God bless you and your family.
Although it's not here yet, the Margolis letter is more evidence that Mr. Remely's feared "tax revolt" may be growing legs.
Root cause of problem - very simple : tax and spend Democrats,Commission and School Board, aided and abetted by a vast, low information, absolutely lazy, 70% non voting public, with a Republican presence in body only, dead from the neck up
This is a followup to the update.
A recent letter in the Almanac states that there are homes with garages that were assessed improperly. The county database has more fields that what is published on the county website. The website will only show garages that are part of the dwelling. If a garage is attached or detached it will have a “0” after garage on the website. In most cases the county assessed the detached and attached garage and has that information on the property record card. The property record card can be purchased for .25 per page. Contact the county at 412-350-4600 to inquire about obtaining a property record card on any property in Allegheny County.
This is valuable information. Why? If the property record card is wrong…your tax bill is wrong!
Elaine
The community is finally waking up. Just wait and see.
Elaine
Yeah right.
What's the BIG revision to the the Home Rule Charter.
We made it gender neutral... oh boy!
Please keep your negativity to yourself. Here is someone who took the time to write a letter to the editor. How about doing the same?
By the way, the voters have to vote on any changes to the Home Rule Charter. So nothing has been revised yet.
Elaine
Elaine, the property record card can be of extreme importance, and something that probably very few are aware exists.
A school district appealed a small commercial property I had purchased a couple of years ago. I obtained the property card for the property and found that the County valuation was based on an implied rental rate of $22/sq-ft. My lease to a tenant was only $15/sq-ft, as were all other leases in that small business district, which I documented. At a Board of Viewers (BOV) hearing, the County valuation was reduced by $46,000.
The residential property cards are usually only a single page or two, but a close review could very likely be worthwhile in appeals.
Why don't real estate agents tell buyers about such information and appeal processes as well as the likely taxes based on the selling prices, not the current assessed values ?
Dr. Margolis,
We spoke on the telephone several weeks ago. I was one of the 149 people that you mailed. It was a while before I got your letter, but I called you when I received it. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.
I would like to learn more about your philosophy on education and your thoughts concerning improvements to the Mt Lebanon School District. Would you please consider elaborating in greater detail in a future post on Elaine's blog?
If you are not interested in elected office, would you have an interest in becoming a future Mt Lebanon Superintendent? If you have the interest then perhaps Elaine can help to get support for you to become a new Superintendent of the Mt Lebanon Schools?
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with us and for standing up for what you believe is right.
Sincerely,
John David Kendrick
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