Radio Smart Talk: York and Harrisburg recovery officers

Radio Smart Talk for Tuesday, January 29:

Many of Pennsylvania’s 500 public school districts are experiencing money problems. Even the districts with more resources are contemplating how they will deal with pension obligations for retired teachers that will be coming due soon.

That’s just one issue.

A shrinking tax base, limits on tax increases, few options to generate revenue, and cuts in state funding often contribute to the challenges as well.

A few school districts have been hit harder than others and have had to take drastic measures such as laying off teachers or closing schools.

Under legislation approved by the General Assembly and Gov. Tom Corbett last summer, four districts have been designated by the state as fiscally distressed. Two of them are in Central Pennsylvania.

As a result, recovery officers have been appointed in the Harrisburg and York city school districts. They will develop and implement recovery plans for the districts. If the local school boards fail to adopt those plans, the state could take over operations.

Joining us on Tuesday’s Radio Smart Talk will be Harrisburg’s Chief Recovery Officer Gene Veno and York’s CRO David Meckley.

Listen to the program: {mp3remote}http://witf.vo.llnwd.net/o35/smarttalk/radiosmarttalk/RST_January292013.mp3{/mp3remote}