Pottstown now 7th of 500 districts in taxation
Each year the state Department of Education calculates what it calls "local tax effort" in "equalized mills" designed to allow comparisons of how much each district is charging in taxes. Last week, the department released figures for the 2009-2010 school year, the latest available. Pottstown now has the seventh highest taxes in Pennsylvania.
posted March 16, 2011

Pottstown's best bargain: fire protection
Thanks to Pottstown's four volunteer fire companies, Pottstown enjoys outstanding fire protection at a fraction of the cost of other urban municipalities such as Reading, Harrisburg, and Scranton.
posted Dec. 10, 2010

People who give
As we approach the end of 2010 with holiday celebrations of giving and thankfulness, we can be proud of Pottstown's "world class" givers.
posted Nov. 26, 2010

Systematic rental inspections needed
To ensure all rental properties are inspected, a systematic program needs to be established.
posted Nov. 3, 2010

First things first: Property inventory should be created
Pottstown's new rental inspection ordinance won't work unless the borough creates and publishes an inventory of all rentals in the borough.
posted Nov. 2, 2010

We can't afford to keep raising school taxes
With the 11th highest taxes of 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, and a steadily declining tax base, the Pottstown School District cannot afford to keep raising taxes. We must look to downsize our staff.
posted April 12, 2010

Barth and Rupert schools at risk?
On Thursday night, the Pottstown School Board will vote on whether apply for federal stimulus bond money to upgrade Pottstown's five neighborhood elementary schools. But a vocal minority doesn't want to upgrade the schools -- they want to close the Barth and Rupert schools and place major additions to the remaining schools.
posted March 17, 2010

Anonymity, hate, and cyber-bullying
An anonymous Web site called Save Pottstown has cropped up since a new school board took over in December, filled with personal attacks on the new board members. This stream of abuse makes it almost impossible to conduct rational deliberations.
posted March 16, 2010

Colored asphalt: best surface for sidewalks
Because asphalt is flexible and has no seams, it makes a much better surface for sidewalks than concrete blocks, which often heave because of freeziing and thawing ground and tree roots.
posted Jan. 13, 2010

Gifts everyone can enjoy at Christmas
Our Pottstown ancestors created many wonderful works of art, but the ones that affect us most are those -- parks and buildings -- we can enjoy every day.
posted Dec. 22, 2009

Culture of secrecy continues
The Pottstown School District promotes a culture of secrecy. The school board cannot carry out its responsibilities if current practices are allowed to continue.
posted Dec. 9, 2009

Competing in the marketplace of ideas
Tom Hylton writes paid opinion columns on behalf of Pottstown Citizens for Responsible Government to inform readers about important issues and to influence public opinion.
posted Dec. 2, 2009

Fulfilling our own unique purpose
People need purposes. A fundamental aim of the Pottstown School District should be to help each student discover his or her own special gift and passion -- and purpose in life.
posted Dec. 1, 2009

Building on strengths, not panaceas
Pottstown Borough has spent more than $800,000 for economic development directors in a vain attempt to attract outside industry. Instead, the borough needs to focus on its strengths -- tree-lined streets, a traditional downtown, walkable neighborhood schools -- to attract young families looking for a sense of community.
posted Nov. 25, 2009

Using newspapers to promote ideas
For centuries, advocates for hundreds of causes have used newspapers as a forum to champion their ideas. We use paid opinion columns in The Mercury to promote traditional town life, especially in Pottstown.
posted Nov. 24, 2009

Let's promote open government
As of Dec. 3, seven of nine members of the Pottstown School Board will have been elected on a pledge to preserve Pottstown's neighborhood elementary schools; practice fiscal responsibility; and promote open government. Now they need to make good on their promises.
posted Nov. 17, 2009

Pottstown plays same game as OJR
The Pottstown School Board will consider motions to extend the contracts of Pottstown's top administrators five years. These motions are an attempt by lame duck school board members, who were defeated in last spring's primary, to continue policies rejected by the public in the last two elections.
posted Oct. 15, 2009

Pottstown ripe for 'smart growth'
Smart growth is the name given to development that conserves land by using smaller lot sizes and placing houses, stores, and workplaces in close proximity. As Pottstown has evolved over the last 250 years, it exemplfies the principles of smart growth.
posted Oct. 2, 2009

ULI sparks Pottstown's town center
Few people remember, but ULI -- the Urban Land Institute -- first conceived the concept of building a new borough hall and town park in its current downtown location. ULI also urged Pottstown to persuade the Montgomery County Commissioners to build a satellite campus of the community college in Pottstown.
posted Oct. 1, 2009

ULI reports have helped Pottstown
Many of Pottstown's most successful development initiatives were first suggested by the Urban Land Institute, the nation's premier research institution for urban planning and development.
posted Sept. 30, 2009

State funding: the rest of the story
In the last three years, the Pottstown School District has received a substantial increase in state funding -- nearly $5 million, 40 percent more than in 2006-07. Instead of placing some of those funds in budgetary reserve, the district spent them all. Now the district says it has to cut programs because funding for the current year is less than expected.
posted Sept. 15, 2009

Web site misses opportunity to promote schools
Web sites have transformed society in the last decade. They are a cost-effective way to inform and persuade. The Pottstown School District's Web site, bland and poorly organized, needs to be revamped to provide information in a logical and attractive format.
posted August 27, 2009

From Pottstown High School to Yale
Carissa Youse, who received her entire public school education -- kindergarten through 12th grade -- in Pottstown, is now entering her sophomore year at Yale, one of the top universities in the nation. Carissa's story shows Pottstown schools can prepare students for the most rigorous academic environments in America.
posted August 26, 2009

Pottstown moves yet higher in taxation
Pottstown Council is holding a special meeting to discuss the borough's finances. But the lion's share of taxation comes from the Pottstown School District, which has among the highest taxes of any school district in the Commonwealth.
posted August 19, 2009

Pottstown mirrors Keystone Principles
With grants and loans, Montgomery County will invest millions of dollars in projects that conform to ten 'Keystone Principles' for sustainable development. With its compact form and pedestrian-friendly streets, Pottstown already conforms to the principles. But all the incentives in the world won't help Pottstown if the borough can't bring taxes under control.
posted August 13, 2009

County is Pottstown's best friend
During the last 20 years, Montgomery County has invested millions of dollars toward the revitalization of Pottstown. But the county can't do it all for us. We must make better use of our existing resources.
posted August 12, 2009

Declining tax base portends financial crisis
Pottstown's real estate tax base is declining and will likely continue to decline for at least five more years. A study of borough finances has concluded Pottstown will need to increase taxes 75% in the next five years just to continue current services. No similar study has been done for the school district, but there is no question Pottstown faces the worst financial crisis in living memory.
posted July 16, 2009

An attempt to thwart local democracy
The Pottstown School Board will consider a motion to extend the contracts of Pottstown's top administrators three more years. The motion is an attempt by lame duck school board members, who were defeated in last month's primary, to continue policies rejected by the public in the last two elections.
posted June 17, 2009

Pottstown school taxes to increase 5.7%
The Pottstown School District has among the highest taxes of any district in Pennsylvania. Even now, during the worst economic climate since the Great Depression, the district proposes significant increases in spending.
posted June 4, 2009

Pottstown: unsustainable taxation
The Pottstown School District has among the highest taxes of any district in Pennsylvania. As Pottstown's tax base declines, the school district's rate of taxation is unsustainable.
posted May 15, 2009

Pottstown tops in per pupil spending
The Pottstown School District spends more, per pupil, than the vast majority of school districts in Pennsylvania.
posted May 12, 2009

History gives Pottstown meaning, substance
Here in Pottstown, our lovely historic buildings -- especially our schools -- bind us together..
posted April 29, 2009

"Green" schools: No larger than necessary
One of the best ways we can protect the environment is to recycle existing buildings and make them energy efficient. The most obvious way to save energy is to make our buildings, such as schools, no larger than necessary.
posted April 22, 2009

Questions about special education
Pottstown has a higher number of special education students than most districts, including districts with a higher percentage of low-income students. It is not clear why.
posted April 9, 2009

School District must rein in spending
The Pottstown School District faces major losses in revenue because of a declining tax base, and vastly increased costs because of the teacher retirement fund. It must rein in spending.
posted March 31, 2009

Parents fight for neighborhood schools
In recent meetings of the Pottstown School Board, parents have made it clear they want to keep their neighborhood schools. They are not asking for lavish facilities -- instead, they pointed out that small schools provide a superior learning environment, especially for low-income children. The school board listened.
posted March 4, 2009

Does Democracy Matter?
In 2007, a slate of five candidates ran for the Pottstown School Board promising to retain and renovate Pottstown's five neighborhood elementary schools. They won by an overwhelming majority. But Pottstown administrators, none of whom live in Pottstown, have consistently pushed a "centers" approach that requires major new construction and eliminates Pottstown's system of neighborhood schools.
posted Feb. 18, 2009

Throw-away buildings
The Pottstown School District plans to double the size of its Lincoln and Franklin elementary schools, turn the Edgewood Elementary School into a pre-school center, and close the Rupert and Barth elementary schools.  Then it plans to close and sell its two administration buildings, and renovate the Barth School into a new administration building.
posted Feb. 12, 2009

$52 million for 8 schools, not 5
How much will it cost to renovate Pottstown's five elementary schools? That depends on how much additional space you build. District administrators have driven up the projected cost by adding the equivalent space of almost three elementary schools.
posted Feb. 11, 2009

School District staffed by commuters
Not one administrator in the Pottstown School District, including school principals, lives in Pottstown.  About 85 percent of Pottstown’s teachers and other professional staff live outside of Pottstown.  The school district would serve the community better if more of its employees lived in the district.
posted Jan. 29, 2009

School District seeks to avoid referendum
The Pottstown School District has adopted a preliminary $53 million budget that could increase real estate taxes more than 8 percent in the coming school year.  By doing so now, the district can seek an exception to avoid a referendum.
posted Jan. 22, 2009

Pottstown School District spending soars
Pottstown has among the highest school district taxes in Pennsylvania.  Despite the economic crisis, the school district plans to raise taxes substantially this year and borrow up to $38 million for school construction, leading to even greater tax increases in future years.
posted Jan. 14, 2009

Resumes should be provided
Pottstown School District administrators manage a $50 million annual budget and the education of 3,200 students.  They are well paid and enjoy contracts giving them more job security than most  managers in the private sector.  The Pottstown School Board does not have resumes for its top administrators on file.  These resumes should be obtained and posted on the school district Web site.
posted Jan. 6, 2009

Put it in writing!
If we want our public officials to make good decisions, we should make a practice of putting our information and ideas in writing.
posted Dec. 23, 2008