Could Pension Crisis Shut Down High School Sports?
Patriot-News sports reporter Rod Frisco took a look at how the looming pension crisis might impact public school athletics.
Derry Township School District Superintendent Linda Brewer noted that "every school district will have to significantly raise taxes or cut programs. That hard decision has been kicked down the road to taxpayers, and we're going to have to face it."
Of course, at the same time districts see higher pension costs down the road, it hasn't stopped districts like Derry from spending money constructing new artificial turf athletic fields.
But could the massive pension costs result in "pay-to-play"--whereby students would have to pay a fee to participate in sports? Or will all these costs simply be passed on to the taxpayers?
Guess we'll have to wait and see as Gov. Rendell and others in Harrisburg are doing absolutely nothing in the current budget process to address the problem.
1 comment:
I think it would be a good idea for "pay as you go sports." We homeowners, especially those of us who have long been retired, cannot continue to pick up the tab for the entertainment/amusement of others. Funds must be used for schooling only. I would also suggest the state incorporate a self directed retirement system for their employees and do away with the monthly pensions. While I have lost much money in my IRA, I will have to pay more in taxes to support and bolster the state retirement system. Who will make up my losses?
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