The Salisbury Township School Board held a special meeting Feb. 6 to vote on a resolution pertaining to Senate Bill 76, the Property Tax Independence Act, which proposes eliminating property taxes that fund school districts.

SB 76 has been in discussion for decades and was brought to the General Assembly in 2014 by Senator David Argall, R-29th. The controversial bill would have school districts rely on funding from the state, generated primarily by an increase in personal income tax and sales taxes.

The bill was two votes shy of being passed when presented by Argall.

With the recent election, and changes on the Senate floor, the bill has been given new life.

Proponents of the bill believe the practice of funding schools through property taxes is “archaic” and puts an undue burden and hardship on elderly and low income homeowners, and that by increasing income and sales taxes a more even playing field and equal funding for schools will be realized.

Opposition to the bill cites raising the income and sales tax will present a burden to low and middle class families, using income tax to fund schools will still create inequality and SB 76 wouldn’t generate enough money for school districts to sustain current programs, generate new ones and continue to meet the needs of the district’s capital budgets.

Hanging in the balance are thousands of districts across the State and the quality of education for their students.

Should SB 76 pass as presented, personal income tax would increase 3.07 to 4.95 percent and the State sales tax would increase to 7 percent.

Necessities not formerly charged State sales tax, including most food, clothing, non-prescription medication, garbage collection and funeral expenses would become taxable items.

At a glance, the bill suggests property taxes would be completely eliminated, though this is not the case. The bill would have voters decide whether school districts can levy taxes for capital improvements.

According to the school board, the district receives 64.5 percent of their budget from property taxes. Eliminating the majority of property tax would have the Salisbury Township School District and others across the commonwealth, relying predominantly on State funding. The outcome could be cuts in extracurricular activities, educational opportunities and programs and the districts “ability to meet any new state mandates.”

The board also said a recession could provide a “negative impact to programs offered to students.”

The board unanimously voted to “oppose any legislation to eliminate school property taxes and called upon the General Assembly to oppose any legislation that would eliminate or further restrict school property taxes.”

The resolution continues to state, “STSB calls upon the General Assembly to explore alternatives to school property tax elimination that provide tax relief for Pennsylvania homeowners.”

Director Audrey Frick said she understood what the state legislature was attempting to accomplish with SB 76 by aiding senior citizens and create equality between the funding for schools across the commonwealth.

Echoing the comments made by Frick, Director Joseph Gnall added he was hesitant to agree with SB 76 due to the limitations in data acquisition.

Director Mary Ziegler commented though she agreed with Frick and Gnall and the idea of creating equality, SB 76 was “not for the good of the school districts.” Ziegler cited the time and expense for state mandates the district must adhere to and was concerned the district would not be able to meet the mandates with a change in funding.

“School boards struggle every budget to do the best for the kids and board members are also taxpayers and residents,” Ziegler said.

Director Carol Klinger said she attended a press conference outlining the specifics of the bill and learned things that came as a surprise.

“I wish every taxpayer could hear what can happen if this bill goes through,” Klinger said.

Ziegler agreed and noted what many people may not realize is if property taxes are eliminated, the line item for the deduction on federal tax forms will be as well.

School Board President Frank Frankfield noted he has been on the board for nine years and the “state has not come through for us over the years... I am not willing to risk the plan for the students of Salisbury.”