Local News
Porter Township, Pa. Changing School District
By
Jul 1, 2009, 10:37 PST

PORTER TOWNSHIP, PA - Porter Township Initiative began its quest to change their school district from East Stroudsburg, Pa to Wallenpaupack, Pa. The reasoning behind this change was put at, superior education for its children at almost half the cost.

The change is all about education. The Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP is set by the Federal Government. The targets are 80% graduation, 45% in math, 54% in reading and 95% of the students must take the test. East Stroudsburg has met 50% of the total standard and Wallenpaupack has met 80%. Some of the other reasons stated for the change are: safety at East Stroudsburg’s High School is an issue for many families, with special needs programs being better at Wallenpaupack.

The change will impact 48 students and 1,108 tax paying residents of the Township, the move will lower their taxes by 47%. In 2008 the taxes were based on 115.35 mills. At Wallenpaupack the taxes were based on 60.67 mills.

Porter Township is paying East Stroudsburg $1,810,603.84 for educating 48 children, Wallenpaupack will be 47% less.

The Porter Township Initiative is asking every resident who receives a petition in the mail to please sign it and return it as soon as possible.