Leesburg resident urges Schuylkill Valley SD to pause field-house project; board says financing can avoid tax increases

Bonnie Langan, a Leesburg Borough resident, told the Schuylkill Valley School District board at Monday’s committee meeting that the district should reconsider plans for a proposed field house and instead prioritize teacher pay, arts programs, counseling and literacy supports. “I would still humbly ask the board to reevaluate a decision to spend taxpayers’ money on the proposed building or buildings,” Langan said in public comment, noting the district’s reserves she had found “roughly has 5 and a half million dollars.”

The board and district staff responded by describing how capital financing and debt service are being managed to avoid a tax increase. One board member explained that construction financing is structured so bond or mortgage payments are rolled into project schedules rather than shifted to operating budgets, and warned that using construction funds to pay salaries would leave the district unable to cover future capital needs. Another board member said current debt service is “approximately 6 and a half to 7% of our annual budget” and has been decreasing, and that, in the member’s assessment, the district could undertake the field house while maintaining the same monthly payment without raising real estate taxes.

Board members emphasized the district’s recent capital work and needs assessment. They said roughly $20 million has been spent on building improvements in recent years and that the proposed field house has been discussed for 15–20 years; supporters argued expanded indoor space would serve not only athletes but youth programs, band practices and community events.

Langan challenged the district’s priorities, citing research and participation figures she had reviewed: about 35% of students participate in sports and an extremely small share go on to play professionally. She urged the board to invest in programs that would serve a broader share of students, such as increased counseling, after-school programming, expanded music and arts offerings, and targeted literacy support.

The board chair said members intend to present a comprehensive, district‑wide package that balances educational and extracurricular needs and stressed that the board aims to be fiscally responsible. No final decision on the field house was recorded in the committee meeting minutes; discussion was moved forward for further consideration.

The committee meeting also included routine personnel and finance items; the board invited residents to contact staff with additional questions about the field house and related budget planning.