Actually, to be fair, Rick Caswell wasn't present for the tax relief vote and Rosie Hersh did vote to keep Caernarvon open, but voted against tax relief. The rest who voted to close Caernarvon did indeed vote against tax relief. They also voted to give our business manager a $32,000 raise over the course of 2 years. He now is one of the highest paid business managers in the area (if not the state) at an annual salary of $121,500. Caernarvon Elementary School demolition has been approved at taxpayer expense. The school district will hang onto the land (they know they will be rebuilding -- that has been the plan all along -- new construction gets a bigger match from the state than renovations and they have 9+ acres, so plenty of room). Land will be reseeded and used as ball fields until they decide to rebuild. It was noted at the last school board meeting that the PEL study used to justify closure of Caernarvon Elementary is already wrong -- predicted enrollment numbers do not match actual enrollments. Board was already talking about doing another study.

To all Elanco citizens out there: If you really want to hold the school board accountable, you need to attend the meetings! I am so sick of Chuck Trupe telling reporters that nobody (thanks for calling me that again, Chuck!) shows up to these meetings. The school board needs to see bodies and hear questions and get direct feedback! (Be forewarned that you need to have a thick skin as they are usually quite rude to anyone making comments -- do not be intimidated!) Meeting schedules can be found at: http://www.elanco.org/district/schoolboard/

The school board should be ASHAMED of themselves for having ever made such a decision. After this vote, it is quite apparent that their decision to turn down the tax relief was for personal reasons i.e. GOP ties and religious beliefs. They did not "represent" the ELANCO residents they are supposed to "represent".

Make sure that you take a closer look at whom you are electing to office. I know that I will.

A $32,000.00 raise. That's obscene.

Republicans should note that the palm cards being handed out by ACTION members at the polls stated at the bottom "Paid for by the ELANCO Republican Comm." Is this what most Republicans wanted their donations to be spent on? If not, make sure to contact ELANCO Republican Committee members with your complaint. They are: William McLain, Wilma F. Bender, Sharon A. Leaman, Debra and Chuck Trupe of New Holland; Jamie and Sarah Detweiler of Bowmansville; Carolyn and Gordon Denlinger of Caernarvon Township; James A. and Stephanie K. Shirk of East Earl Township; and Linda M. and Thomas E. Wentzel of Terre Hill. Those in boldface are school board members. Conflict of interest, anyone?

Yes it is. That point was made by a person at October's school board meeting. The board's response was to chastise that person for bringing this up at a school board meeeting and one member actually said that the business manager should be paid more than the $121,500 that he will be making. Stupid move by the school board. This is a contract year and the teacher union rep was there. Chuck Trupe also made a move to keep money out of PSER (teacher retirement account) so that taxpayers will take action. Basically, he is bitter because CNH stopped his pension plan:

"He shared with the audience this similar type of program was eliminated at his place of employment for the professional staff. Considering the economy and
the stock market of today, Mr. Trupe feels this plan needs to be changed from a
defined benefits program."

"He wants the taxpayers to be motivated, when they see
taxes going up specifically for this fund, to contact their state legislators and ask
them to say it is time to change this plan to a defined contribution plan. This
plan is not controlled by the local school board." See October minutes at [url="http://www.elanco.org/district/schoolboard/minutes/"]http://www.elanco.org/district/schoolboard/minutes/

Another stupid statement of personal vendetta -- way to give the union ammo, Chuck! Current contract expires in June. Can't wait to see those negotiations...