8/8/2019 Act 34 Letter

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Paid for by People for Progress (PAC)

OPPOSE SENSELESS SCHOOL EXPANSIONS!

Along with all of the other drastic measures taken over the past ten months, the Armstrong School District is

planning to borrow more than $78 million to finance renovations and additions at Elderton Elementary/High

School, Ford City High School, and Kittanning Junior/Senior High Schools

not be paid off until 2026. Not only are these projects unnecessary due to declining enrollment, but they will

handcuff our students, teachers, and taxpayers to an outdated and inefficient system of education for decades.

With high unemployment, no reliable indications of economic growth, and great uncertainty about how much ithe next three years, Armstrong County simply

cannot afford such irresponsible spending. And the speed at which the school board is ramming this through is

frightening.

The first phase of the project will cost $23.5 million for renovations and additions at Elderton, which is scheduled

to graduate approximately 29 students this year. As required by state law, a public hearing has been scheduled for

6:30 PM on October 20 in the Elderton High School gymnasium. If you think this is a bad plan, it is critical that you

economy.  

Just as importantly, we need to let the State Department of Education know what we think. Write your own letter

or cut out, sign, and mail the pre-written letter below. We must let them know that the taxpayers of Armstrong

School District are not in favor of this reckless spending. The time is now. The next election will be too late. Also,

it is important to let your state legislators know what you think by sending a similar letter to them.

Thomas E. Gluck

Acting Secretary of Education

PA Dept. of Education

333 Market Street

Harrisburg, PA 17126

Dear Mr. Gluck,

As a resident and taxpayer in the Armstrong School District, I am writing to urge the Department of Education to disallow the

irresponsible and frantically contrived plan to spend over $78 million on alterations and additions to Elderton Elementary/High

School, Ford City High School, and Kittanning Junior/Senior High Schools. There have been no credible reasons put forth to

 justify this plan, and it is not necessary. With our depressed local economy, high percentage of fixed-income residents,

declining

simply cannot afford such irresponsible spending.

An Act 34 public hearing has been scheduled for October 20 regarding the first phase, which involves a $23.5 million project at

Elderton Elementary/High School. This school is scheduled to graduate only 29 students this year! It was proven last year that

not only does the district not need to add to the capacity of Elderton High School but that the fewer than 290 students at

Elderton can easily fit into other district high schools at a considerable savings. Spending money to renovate and expand

Elderton High School takes money that is much needed for the improvement of the education of all the district students. The or students on this

matter.

Please act in the best interest of the people of the Armstrong School District (and the state of Pennsylvania) by preventing this

plan from proceeding by whatever means you have at your disposal.

Sincerely,

Armstrong School District Resident

The Kittanning PapePAGE 6 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2010

OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS AND REFLECT PAID SPONSORSHIP