21 Jan State Puts Scranton Schools on Notice

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Education moved closer to taking control of the troubled Scranton School District.  The agency issued a declaration of financial recovery status that requires local leaders to work with state professionals to develop and execute a plan that could include layoffs, reductions in services, and tax increases.

The formal declaration cited three years of declining budget reserves, outstanding debt that exceeds the amount of annual revenue, high delinquent tax rate, and three years of growing budget deficits.

In a letter to the community, Dr. Alexis Kirijan, schools superintendent, cited the district’s “continuing financial deficiencies” as the cause of the state’s decision.  She pledged to work with the assigned recovery officer to “develop a financial plan that will lead to financial solvency.”

Scranton joins five other districts across Pennsylvania in Financial Recovery Status.  Chester-Upland, Duquesne, Harrisburg, Penn Hills, and York are all in similar situations.  None have exited the status.  Districts that fail to meet state requirements can ultimately lose the ability to make local decisions.  The Department of Education can take over operations.