Athletics and Taxpayer Dollars

[South Ave Sam]

I believe the constitution mandates that States have to provide education to those under age 19. The State of Pennsylvania setup districts to handle the education process. Each district is subsidized primarily by Taxpayer dollars known as School Real Estate taxes that are assessed based on the value of real estate. The property owners must pay the tax. These property taxes are often a sore subject with elderly people who often say they cannot afford them. Many other taxpayers don't understand why they must pay the tax even though they do not use the schools in the district.

Athletics in public and charter schools are paid for thru the property taxes paid to the school district. Many school districts spend substantial amounts to fund the athletic programs in many ways such as facilities, stadiums, coaching salaries, busing, equipment etc.

Why are the Taxpayers bearing this cost? Should Public and Charter schools be required to fund there athletics thru other resources or fees?

 

[FJ78]

If your taxes are too high.....move to the city.

 

[Stalker]

I believe the constitution mandates that States have to provide education to those under age 19. The State of Pennsylvania setup districts to handle the education process. Each district is subsidized primarily by Taxpayer dollars known as School Real Estate taxes that are assessed based on the value of real estate. The property owners must pay the tax. These property taxes are often a sore subject with elderly people who often say they cannot afford them. Many other taxpayers don't understand why they must pay the tax even though they do not use the schools in the district.

Athletics in public and charter schools are paid for thru the property taxes paid to the school district. Many school districts spend substantial amounts to fund the athletic programs in many ways such as facilities, stadiums, coaching salaries, busing, equipment etc.

Why are the Taxpayers bearing this cost? Should Public and Charter schools be required to fund there athletics thru other resources or fees?

Shouldn't this be locally funded. Why should I be concerned with football, stadiums, coaches....etc in Erie. Athletics is not like education where we all benefit in a good product. So I feel we should all bear the burden of school real estate since we all benefit in the product. If I want a new sports facility in Ridley Township I should pay for that, not Erie.

 

[green_beans]

South..

I do like to see economic questions on a FB blog.. it helps kill the notion that we are just old dumb jocks lol..

you have a somewhat complicated question.. The political argument for taxing all home / apartment owners is that a better educated student will turn into a more productive adult in your community so the masses shoulder the burden of cost. This is somewhat out dated as people move much more often than say 40 years ago..

I've been a lifelong resident of Lansdale.. Sr's and tax base was part of the argument that Donna Mengel used in the late 80's to defend increasing the size of NP.. vs building a second HS. Demographics where published that the school district at the time would be getting smaller (this was a couple of years prior to the building boom for the surrounding townships from Lansdale). There was even talk of the Montgomeryville area from Upper state rd towards Kenas Rd attempting to move into HH school district which was shot down. By having one HS..it kept NP taxes about half of say CB’s..but I am digressing..

As far as funding teams / clubs etc goes I know NP club / team members do a lot of fund raising for their clubs and teams (for example a few years ago the baseball team built a fence around their field.. which was funded by fund raising).. but also it is part of the schools budget.. using NP as an example the school district as a load of various clubs (see link)

http://www.npenn.org/cms/lib/PA09000087/Centricity/Domain/88/Student Activity Review17-18.pdf

Their clubs cover just about every aspect of life from team sports, various clubs include various clubs focusing on ethnic diversity, alternate life style, robotics etc. So where am I going with this… the school would either have to include in it’s budget some funding for all clubs / teams or none.. as a public school as long as the club does not base participation on race, creed or color they cannot choose to fund one and not the other.

 

[South Ave Sam]

If your taxes are too high.....move to the city.

I have no complaint about my taxes, just sparking a debate that I believe will be good.

FJ, why should Father Judge HS pay for the use of a high school football stadium @ Northeast or Lincoln when those stadiums are paid for by tax dollars of the parents of Judge players?

 

[green_beans]

I have no complaint about my taxes, just sparking a debate that I believe will be good.

FJ, why should Father Judge HS pay for the use of a high school football stadium @ Northeast or Lincoln when those stadiums are paid for by tax dollars of the parents of Judge players?

good point.. I pay NP taxes although my kids go to catholic school and football pays to use Wisc stadium.. can't even use NPs if we paid...I know souderton schedules as many events as possible in the stadium so they can charge you.. went to watch my daughter play in a JV soccer game and was charged $5.. same with JV football if they start the game after 5PM.. call it a night game.. they actually get their panties in a bunch if you comment about being charged for a 5PM game when it is still light out..

 

[South Ave Sam]

At what point are athletics considered education and thus meet the requirement for the State to provide in the Constitution?

 

[Stalker]

South..

I do like to see economic questions on a FB blog.. it helps kill the notion that we are just old dumb jocks lol..

you have a somewhat complicated question.. The political argument for taxing all home / apartment owners is that a better educated student will turn into a more productive adult in your community so the masses shoulder the burden of cost. This is somewhat out dated as people move much more often than say 40 years ago..

I've been a lifelong resident of Lansdale.. Sr's and tax base was part of the argument that Donna Mengel used in the late 80's to defend increasing the size of NP.. vs building a second HS. Demographics where published that the school district at the time would be getting smaller (this was a couple of years prior to the building boom for the surrounding townships from Lansdale). There was even talk of the Montgomeryville area from Upper state rd towards Kenas Rd attempting to move into HH school district which was shot down. By having one HS..it kept NP taxes about half of say CB’s..but I am digressing..

As far as funding teams / clubs etc goes I know NP club / team members do a lot of fund raising for their clubs and teams (for example a few years ago the baseball team built a fence around their field.. which was funded by fund raising).. but also it is part of the schools budget.. using NP as an example the school district as a load of various clubs (see link)

http://www.npenn.org/cms/lib/PA09000087/Centricity/Domain/88/Student Activity Review17-18.pdf

Their clubs cover just about every aspect of life from team sports, various clubs include various clubs focusing on ethnic diversity, alternate life style, robotics etc. So where am I going with this… the school would either have to include in it’s budget some funding for all clubs / teams or none.. as a public school as long as the club does not base participation on race, creed or color they cannot choose to fund one and not the other.

True grren, but then you exposed yourself as be

South..

I do like to see economic questions on a FB blog.. it helps kill the notion that we are just old dumb jocks lol..

you have a somewhat complicated question.. The political argument for taxing all home / apartment owners is that a better educated student will turn into a more productive adult in your community so the masses shoulder the burden of cost. This is somewhat out dated as people move much more often than say 40 years ago..

I've been a lifelong resident of Lansdale.. Sr's and tax base was part of the argument that Donna Mengel used in the late 80's to defend increasing the size of NP.. vs building a second HS. Demographics where published that the school district at the time would be getting smaller (this was a couple of years prior to the building boom for the surrounding townships from Lansdale). There was even talk of the Montgomeryville area from Upper state rd towards Kenas Rd attempting to move into HH school district which was shot down. By having one HS..it kept NP taxes about half of say CB’s..but I am digressing..

As far as funding teams / clubs etc goes I know NP club / team members do a lot of fund raising for their clubs and teams (for example a few years ago the baseball team built a fence around their field.. which was funded by fund raising).. but also it is part of the schools budget.. using NP as an example the school district as a load of various clubs (see link)

http://www.npenn.org/cms/lib/PA09000087/Centricity/Domain/88/Student Activity Review17-18.pdf

Their clubs cover just about every aspect of life from team sports, various clubs include various clubs focusing on ethnic diversity, alternate life style, robotics etc. So where am I going with this… the school would either have to include in it’s budget some funding for all clubs / teams or none.. as a public school as long as the club does not base participation on race, creed or color they cannot choose to fund one and not the other.

Green; my point was that a well educated society is good in any and all communities, not just "your" community. I don't see how this is outdated. Does it matter if that education stays home or travels to the west coast?
But enough of that. I think Neshaminy will be strong next year.

 

[PA2CAMoleskinner]

Two things (taking into account this is sort of a freewheeling thread):

(1) I believe everyone should go to law school but no one should practice law (you have to do something more meaningful with your life); and

(2) I believe the 'Skins will be making much more noise next year (so Stalk and I are in complete agreement).

 

[d1football1]

Most teams rely on their booster clubs to raise money for expenses because the school budgets are pretty bare bones-they pay for buses, 4 or 5 coaches, uniforms every 5-7 years, officials fees, and some other things (footballs, helmets, shoulder pads).

Extra coaches, meals, cameras, Hudl, etc? Most schools rely on their booster clubs to raise money for those things. I remember Coach Lennox in an interview stating that his booster club was the reason they were able to afford better helmets for his players.

You would be surprised how poorly funded most of the athletic programs are and how much booster clubs and parents pay for in all sports, not just football.

Your tax dollars don't pay for as much as you think.