Letter to the editor: Teachers not to blame for potential Penn-Trafford tax hike

I take offense to Dallas Leonard’s blaming the proposed tax increase on Penn-Trafford’s teachers’ contract (“Penn-Trafford proposes 2-mill tax hike for next year,” May 3, TribLIVE).

First, this contract was signed three years ago. Penn-Trafford has an ample tax base, and obviously had time to plan ahead to pay for it. Second, Penn-Trafford received over $3 million over the past year from the federal government. That in itself is the equivalent of 10 mills in Penn-Trafford. Last, Leonard did not even cast a vote for or against the contract when it was proposed three years ago.

Penn-Trafford’s teachers worked their tails off this year, and held in-person instruction more than most districts in the state. It’s a shame to be scapegoated for a tax increase rather than being praised for a job well done.

Shaun Rinier

Penn Township, Westmoreland County

The writer is president of the Penn-Trafford Education Association.