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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Tim Mahoney |
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Mahoney reintroduces bill to consolidate school districts for local tax reform
HARRISBURG, Feb.10 – State Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Fayette, has again introduced legislation that would provide taxpayer savings by allowing residents to approve the consolidation of smaller school districts in the state into countywide school districts.
Mahoney's legislation (H.B. 351) would allow county commissioners to place a referendum on the ballot asking voters if they support consolidating small school districts into a single, countywide school district for the purposes of administration and taxation. The consolidation process would begin if at least two-thirds of voters approve the referendum.
The Fayette County lawmaker said he agrees with Gov. Ed Rendell's 2009-10 state budget proposal calling for the consolidation of school districts in Pennsylvania.
"We need to review school district consolidation in Pennsylvania to see if we can provide taxpayers with expanded real estate tax savings," Mahoney said.
Mahoney said the process would create a countywide school district for administrative purposes, not necessarily fewer or larger schools within the district. Individual school buildings, facilities, sports teams and mascots would not be impacted, and could remain in place.
Under the measure, a county school board would be formed to govern the new consolidated district. The county board would be composed of seven members and elected from regions within the county divided equally by population.
The state Department of Education would develop regulations and approve the application process for the countywide school consolidation plan.
The legislation is awaiting action in the House Education Committee.
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