Posted by The Unknown on February 02, 2005 at 02:58:33 (PST):
This press release issued by the Armstrong School District dated August 26,2002 is only one form of proof I can provide you in an attempt to prove I am correct when I state the top three media sources in this county have a bad habit of misleading the public. It also further goes to prove a part of my statement in some people would stop at nothing to make the entire school district appear bad only because some people have a very bad taste in their mouths for certain directors on the board. This bad taste they have has lead to an outlandish amount of not having a civil tongue as Carl put it. I hope the five directors I believe can save this school district if only you people hell bent againest them would get the Q-Tips to clean out your ears and pull your head out of your ass too please would then see that it isn't all so bad when we LISTEN to the entire facts first. Rather some wish to hear a part then add to it to twist and distort the entire truth.
PRESS RELEASE
Armstrong School District • 410 Main Street • Ford City, PA 16226
For Immediate Release
Date: 8/26/2002
Contact: Dr. William H. Kerr
Phone: 724-763-5269
Fax: 724-763-7295
The Armstrong School District desires to set the record straight regarding recent articles in the
Leader Times newspaper regarding budget, staffing and district operations. The purpose of this
press release is to make certain the general public and taxpaying citizens have the correct
information as it relates to the 2002-2003 Education Budget.
The Armstrong Board of School Directors was not pleased about having to impose a tax increase
on an already heavily taxed county and equally unhappy about the staffing and material cuts
made. However, the only other option would have been to further reduce an already depleted
fund balance and that would have been fiscally irresponsible.
The projected fund balance for the upcoming school year is in the 3% range and that is
dangerously low for a district of our size. After $3.7 million (eight mills) was eliminated from
the budget, the need for a six-mill tax increase -- the first real estate tax increase since 1996 --
was determined. Increased health care costs and significant reliance on use of the fund balance
in previous years were basic reasons for a tax increase.
The school district believes that the Leader Times reporter has consistently failed to convey the
most important aspects of the education budget in a number of news articles, especially the most
recent articles of July 23, 2002 and July 27, 2002 relating to the reopening of the 2002-2003
school budget. As approved by the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, all school districts
reopened budgets to make necessary adjustments based on additional funding.
The General Assembly announced additional funding in state subsidy for 2002-2003 in the
amount of $733,172 for the Armstrong School District. Based on the options provided by the
legislation, the school district decided to restore funding for educational programs and services
that were originally eliminated or reduced upon passage of the final budget on June 24, 2002.
The additional monies will support the educational goals and objectives of the Armstrong School
District. Restored funds for educatio nal programs and services will be used to purchase
secondary textbooks, enhance educational technology and recall furloughed support staff
personnel. Also, one administrative staff position will be restored.
Following are the correct figures for restoration of funding for educational programs in the
Armstrong School District budget, which were provided to the Leader Times reporter during the
public meeting on July 22, 2002, as well as each member of the public that attended the meeting:
INCREASE IN STATE SUBSIDY 2002-2003:
Original Basic Instruction Subsidy Budget $22,724,101
Final Estimated Ba