Pa. offers lessons in consolidating school districts

As a former superintendent of schools in Pennsylvania, I am both interested in and amused by the controversy surrounding proposals to change the organization of New Jersey's schools.

I think there are lessons to be learned from the history of similar actions taken in Pennsylvania over 40 years ago.

In the 1960s, Pennsylvania schools were ordered to face consolidation. At that time, Pennsylvania had K-8 districts, as New Jersey currently does.

As a result, Pennsylvania school districts were consolidated into 501 K-12 districts (though one is non-operating). As I recall, the reorganization did result in some savings to taxpayers.

Unfortunately, Pennsylvania then also created "intermediate units," similar to county organizations. Groups of school districts were assigned to each unit.

This structure produced a burgeoning administration that now employs thousands of additional professionals and "executive" directors whose salaries and fringe benefits sometimes surpass the salary and benefits of the elected governor of the state. This last statement is not hyperbole, but public record.

I think it is reasonable to expect some consolidation of districts in New Jersey. Having duplication of services for several K-8 feeder districts seems untenable.

But I believe New Jersey should not consider a countywide structure that may only result in another bureaucratic level of administration with no direct control by the voter.

I also believe that some prohibitions to the state pension program in New Jersey are long overdue and reasonable. Individuals - whether employed as public-sector professionals in education or other government-related fields - should be held accountable for their actions.

Violations of public trust or statutory law should result in denial of pensions, as is the case in Pennsylvania.

As to the absurd practice of collecting multiple pensions, that practice should be ended for all public-sector employees unless the employment was accrued separately, not coincidentally.

New Jersey must face the issue of excessive property taxation. Passionate protests by officials and citizens will do little to alleviate the tax burden that increases each year. Reasonable proposals must be considered to halt the ever-escalating cost to the taxpayer.

I applaud Gov. Corzine for having the political courage to raise this issue.

Stephen R. Gring

Ocean City, N.J.

High tax, low return

Quoting an average figure for state property taxes is highly misleading. I know of no one who pays a "mere" $6,000; I pay more than $10,000, as does almost everyone I know in my area.

My cousin in central Jersey pays over $18,000! None of us lives in the type of manor home that might justify the exorbitant rate we are charged.

As our schools are not rated at the top of any list I am aware of, into whose pockets does the money from property taxes to "improve" education go? The answer lies partially in the nepotistic, top-heavy administrative structure of the suburban school districts.

Judith T. Oruska

Medford