Facing an anticipated $4.7 million structural deficit for the 2017-2018 Academic Year, Quakertown Community School District Officials are faced with the possibility of closing the Milford Township Middle School.

            A public hearing has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11 at the District Services Center, 100 Commerce Drive, Quakertown (Milford Township) to consider a proposal to close the Middle School in July of this year.

            In a letter sent to school district taxpayers on Tuesday by Board President Paul Stepanoff and Board Vice President Charles Shermer, officials explained the crises facing them and ask for "thoughts and feedback as we make tough decisions for our community."

            The letter cites the unfunded and underfunded mandates imposed by state leaders in Harrisburg.  Two budget pressure points were the annual increases in the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) and paying the prevailing wage for school construction projects – issues not under the control of the local school board.

            It was reported that "next year, PSERS payments will be $14.3M or 13% of the budget. In addition, the increased cost due to paying the Philadelphia region prevailing labor wage is $20M on the $70M renovation project for the high school."

            At last week's meeting of the board, several options were reviewed to close the budget deficit.  They included closing the Milford Middle School, Quakertown Elementary, and Tohickon Valley Elementary.  Each needs about $11 million in renovations.

            According to Superintendent William Harner, the buildings have become obsolete and each require expensive ongoing maintenance.  Failure to close the deficit would prevent the district from proceeding with implementation of their facilities plan.

            Closing the schools could mean the loss of 50 jobs however, Harner maintained that most of the staff cuts would be through attrition and would only ultimately result in elimination of the district's cyber program. According to Harner, the program has fewer than 15 full-time students. Students wishing to continue with a cyber learning environment would still have the option of a cyber charter school.

            The letter also states that the alternative to closing the schools is to raise taxes by 8% instead of 2.9% - a move that would require the board to seek state permission to raise taxes higher than the maximum allowed under the 2006 property-tax relief legislation, Pennsylvania Act 1. 

            With a poverty rate of about 28% in the Quakertown Community School District that may not be a viable option.

            Not closing the schools could also lead to the elimination of some non-core programs that could include athletics, arts, AP sources, and after school activities.

            According to reports, Quakertown is the only district in Bucks County that has raised its real estate levy annually for the last 30 years.

            In the letter, Stepanoff and Shermer cited the superintendent and his administration for bringing fiscal discipline and efficiency in running the school district.  The also wrote that the students and teachers "are doing a remarkable job in the classroom. For example, in 2016 the Quakertown Community High School was ranked #1 in Bucks County and #12 in Pennsylvania on the state's report card.

            More information, including a request form to address the board at the meeting, can be found at www.qcsd.org/Page/13835.