During COVID, towns raised school taxes when they didn’t need to. They’re not likely to come down.

Originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Finally, a normal school year without face masks and split schedules. But one remnant of the pandemic is here to stay — higher property taxes. But contrary to popular wisdom, tax dollars going to schools does not mean the children will receive a better education.

Spurred by fears of massive revenue shortfalls, nearly half of Pennsylvania school districts raised property taxes during the pandemic. Here’s the catch: projected revenue loss never materialized. In fact, the state is still sitting on piles of COVID cash earmarked for “school reopening.”

The lesson: The best thing for our schools isn’t steady “no questions asked” property tax increases. Real education reform begins by questioning how we can restore accountability and put students first.

Read more in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette