Imagine my shock when I recently received my Palmerton Area School District tax bill. Another tax increase. This one, the maximum increase (4.7%) allowed under state law. For what? Never-ending construction projects? Unexplained paid leave of absences? It’s an outrage!

Just in the past recent years, district taxpayers have funded an artificial turf football field, a girls softball field complex, and now this year a $14 million dollar administrative office expansion project. All noneducational expenses taxpayers are footing the bill for.

What’s particularly infuriating this year is the superintendents unexplained nine month PAID “leave of absence.” Her absence is costing the district $550 a day. That’s $2750 a week, $11,000 a month, or $99,000 for the nine month period. All this without any explanation to the students, faculty, taxpayers, or community as to the reason this leave is necessary. What an outrage!

This school district appears to be poorly led, fiscally irresponsible, and focused on construction rather than education. It’s time for property tax reform now!

Randy Kreimoyer

Palmerton Taxpayer