Myth: Just over a decade ago, East Penn's debt was less than $1 million.
Fact: Here are the actual debt levels as of the end of each fiscal year:

1996-97	$98,517,692
1997-98	$112,751,237
1998-99	$119,922,274
1999-00	$116,579,552
2000-01	$112,403,071
2001-02	$108,093,533
2002-03	$112,556,861
2003-04	$135,448,194
2004-05	$156,034,971
2005-06	$150,638,412
2006-07	$142,186,183
2007-08	$146,525,381
2008-09	$157,198,811
2009-10	$152,092,124

(Data from Pennsylvania Department of Education web site; see the "Short- and Long-Term Debt" Excel file under Miscellaneous; total debt at the end of each year is in the far right column of each worksheet tab: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/summaries_of_annual_financial_report_data/7673/afr_other_financial_information/509049)

How did the district use that debt?

• New School Construction:
  • Jefferson Elementary School
  • Lower Macungie Middle School
  • Alburtis Elementary School
  • Willow Lane Elementary School
• School Renovation and Expansion
• Wescosville Elementary School
• Lincoln Elementary School
• Emmaus High School (Renovation)
• Emmaus High School (New Wing)
• Shoemaker Elementary School
• Eyer Middle School

Myth: East Penn spends too much money to educate our students.
Fact: Per student expenditures ranked 271st out of the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, well below the statewide median. Performance on college acceptance and standardized tests are well above both the statewide and national averages. East Penn invests its resources efficiently and effectively. (Data from Pennsylvania Department of Education web site: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/summaries_of_annual_financial_report_data/7673/afr_excel_data_files/509047.)

Myth: East Penn property taxes are too high.
Fact: East Penn's property tax rate is the third lowest of the nine Lehigh County school districts. Parkland and Southern Lehigh have lower tax rates, though the Southern Lehigh tax rate is only 0.60 mills lower. Only Parkland, with its huge distribution centers, has a significantly lower tax rate.

Myth: Our property taxes go up every year.
Fact: Alan Earnshaw has been on the board for nine budget cycles. Two of those budgets had no tax increase. In addition, Alan helped eliminate the per capita tax ($5 per adult living in the school district) and implement the Senior Citizens Tax Rebate in 2002. The Tax Rebate program returns about $150,000 per year to low income senior citizens. Last year, seniors were eligible for a rebate of up to $650.

Myth: East Penn's tax increases have far exceeded the rate of inflation.
Fact: Since Alan was elected to the board in 2001, the property tax rate has increased an average of 3.3% per year. Inflation has historically been about 3 - 3.5% per year, so these increases are in line with the normal inflation rate.

Myth: Only 51¢ of every dollar is spent on direct education costs.
Fact: Over 67¢ of every dollar is spent on instructional costs, including regular, special, and career and technical education.

Myth: The Board is just a "rubber stamp" and gives the administration everything it asks for.
Fact: The Board sets the direction for the school district, and the Superintendent proposes specific actions to implement that direction. Since these proposals fit the stated direction set by the Board, they are usually accepted with minimal debate or dissension. On occasion, the Superintendent may propose a program, initiative, or action that he thinks fits with the district's overall direction, even though the Board has not provided specific direction. When he does so, he makes both an education case and a business case for why the Board should approve his recommendation. We usually approve these proposals because the Superintendent is very well tuned in to the desires of the Board. That does not mean the approval is automatic or a foregone conclusion! We have had many vigorous discussions and debates, and we sometimes decide to have the Superintendent refine the proposal before having a final vote.

Myth: The unions are in the driver's seat and get everything they ask for.
Fact: Alan has been on the district team for negotiations with the teachers (twice), administrative assistants and instructional/staff assistants (aides) (twice), the Teamsters (who represent the custodians), and the "Act 93" group (a pseudo-bargaining unit that represents many of our administrators) (four times). The negotiations sessions are usually cordial and respectful, but they can get tense, and we have occasionally relied on a state mediator to help us overcome sticking points. The unions never get everything they ask for; neither does the district. We eventually reach a compromise that both sides can agree to—that's the way union negotiations are supposed to work!