"Our public schools aren't failing. They are being failed."
(The following is a Letter to the Editor from North Penn School District parent Karalyn McGrorty Derstine, Ed. D. The views expressed within are her own.)
Our community has experienced an unbelievable tragedy. I am heartsick for the victim and witnesses to the assault. I am deeply troubled by the failures of the system. I support a full investigation and those found responsible held accountable and face appropriate consequences.
I have been encouraged by the courage of our young people. Our kids deserve better. Our kids WANT better. And I believe we have an obligation to do better.
As I have stated before, many of the issues we are facing in NPSD are rooted in the issues of Harrisburg. That’s why I continue to call for bipartisan efforts to work for the common good of the Commonwealth.
I am not excusing the lapse in judgement that caused the attack at Pennbrook, but I do believe this issue is a symptom of a larger issue. We are living with the consequences of decisions made in the early 1990s, not only the NPSD board decision not to build a second high school, but also Pennsylvania’s chosen education funding formula. A formula that puts the burden of funding education on the taxpayers of a district. A policy which leaves districts with declining enrollment overfunded and districts with increasing enrollment underfunded.
These issues became worse in the early 2000s by Pennsylvania Charter, Cyber Charter, and EITC/OSTC programs.
Cyber charters alone take $500 million out of public education per year. A report issued by Educations Voters of Pennsylvania last week found cyber charters are using tens of millions of our tax dollars on lavish expenses without any accountability to taxpayers.
The current system holds public schools to a different standard, set of rules and level of scrutiny than private and charters. Our public schools aren't failing. They are being failed. They are the only schools legally obligated to support all students. They are underfunded and thus cannot provide the resources necessary to support the needs of all students.
These state decisions are causing increases in property taxes while Pennsylvania has one of the smallest state level contributions to education and a surplus of $17 billion dollars.
I believe taxpayer dollars should be used for their intended purpose and any organization accepting tax funds should be obligated to the same state and federal laws. Any allocation of resources not held to the same level of accountability and transparency is eroding our school system and harming our children in the process. There should be accountability and transparency at every level of government.
Pennsylvania funding formula was found unconstitutional in February 2023. It is now up to the state legislature to develop a remedy. Our kids are still waiting…
Governor Shapiro’s budget has suggested using the surplus as a downpayment to address the three decades of education funding issues that are harming our students. Even if Shapiro’s entire ask is fulfilled Pennsylvania would still have $11 billion surplus.
I believe it is fiscally irresponsible to simply hand any superintendent a blank check. Funding must be targeted to prioritize the needs within our communities.
Once we get funding, I believe our community shares the following priorities:
· Facilities Improvements (including updated HVAC and AC in all schools)
· Mental health resources and staffing
· Special education programs and staffing
· Curriculum resources
· Teachers and support staff training
Lastly, attacking teachers and counselors is attacking the people who show up for our children every day. The folks who are trying to close the opportunities gaps created by Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional funding gaps. Our teachers aren’t failing to support our kids—society is failing to support our teachers and thus failing our children.
Signed,
Karalyn McGrorty Derstine, Ed. D
North Penn School District parent
