Letter to the editor: Languages and taxes in Latrobe

It was great to see students and alumni speak out at the recent Greater Latrobe School Board meeting trying to save the German and French language programs (“Greater Latrobe plan to shift French, German instruction online draws protest,” May 26, TribLIVE). They were passionate and well prepared. It gives us hope for the future to see our youth getting involved.

However, the vice president’s comments at the end of the meeting were out of line and misleading. He stated that “you can’t have it both ways” — meaning the district can’t keep these programs and not raise taxes. The proposed tax increase this year has nothing to do with the proposed scuttling of these programs. In my opinion, this year’s tax increase is because of wasteful spending.

During this past school year, the board voted to pay $51,000 to its transportation company in November for services not provided. Then the board approved to pay up to five snow days when no transportation would be provided, which they paid out two days at a cost of $10,000 per day. The district saved $163,000 during the December shutdown on transportation alone. This is just one area of the budget. Not to mention raises approved during this pandemic.

With a $5 million fund balance, the board should explain to the taxpayers again why it is necessary to raise taxes while many are trying to get back on their feet coming out of this pandemic.

Andrew Repko

Unity

The writer was a school board candidate in the May primary election.