school district of springfield township montgomery county pa

Other districts also face increases in student needs. As that number increased, the district had the available funds to increase the support provided to its students, hiring additional classroom teachers, English language teachers, counselors, and social workers, she said. Its tax rate is 35 equalized mills.ĭuring Hacker’s time at the district, the proportion of students who were economically disadvantaged grew substantially, more than doubling in eight years to 19% today. Petitioner William Penn School District, a less wealthy suburban district only a few miles away, currently has seven principals for eight elementary schools because it cannot afford to pay another principal salary. Hacker testified that Springfield Township has always had sufficient financial resources to fill all its principal positions. Its local taxpayers pay 19.5 equalized mills–just above the state median rate of 18.7 equalized mills. Importantly, the district was able to raise most of its revenue locally and has a strong tax base. Hacker’s testimony about her experience repeatedly contrasted with that of superintendents from the petitioner districts. Its current revenue, adjusted for student need, of $21,674 per student ranks 45th out of 499 school districts. Unlike many other districts in Pennsylvania, Springfield Township has the resources it needs to allow students to meet state standards, according to a state benchmark for adequate funding. Springfield Township is a small suburban district of 2,500 students in Montgomery County, bordering Philadelphia. Nancy Hacker, a retired educator who served as superintendent of the School District of Springfield Township from 2012 to 2020. On Tuesday, court heard a different perspective from Dr. Throughout the case, the court has heard testimony from superintendents of petitioner school districts who described the effects of insufficient state funding on their schools in low-wealth communities.

School district of springfield township montgomery county pa