William Edwards 
Feb. 10, 1994 
William ``buzzy'' Edwards, 82, Of Nicholson Street, Wilkes-barre Township, 
Died Thursday At Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-barre.

Albert Russo 
Dec. 22, 1993 
Albert J. Russo, M.d., 85, Of Dagupan City, Philippines, Died Dec. 22 In The 
Phillipines.

Friday, February 11, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Quality of education goes down as state funding decreases &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Your recent article by Anne Karolyi, ``Dissecting district tax hikes,'' was
very informative but missed the mark on the most substantive issue: state
funding, or more to the point, continuous reduction in state funding over
timeTen years ago, the state paid 50 percent of the total cost of education.
Five years ago the state paid approximately 45 percent of the cost of
education. Today the state pays only about 36 percent of the total. These
decreases result in perpetually increasing local real estate taxes, which will
eventually force a smaller population to carry the larger burden. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Since Mountaintop is growing at a rapid rate, the tax base for the
Crestwood School District is increasing; but so is the student population,
which significantly increases costs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 With little or no increase in state subsidies and small increases in the
local taxes in this "hold the line" environment, spending on a per child/per
year basis is being reduced. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A recent study published in The Times Leader indicated that as per capita
spending increases, education levels increase. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Doesn't a reduction in state funding then result in a net reduction in
education in our district? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ray Whalen &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Mountaintop

Quality Of Education Goes Down As State Funding Decreases 
Your Recent Article By Anne Karolyi, ``dissecting District Tax Hikes,'' Was 
Very Informative But Missed The Mark On The Most Substantive Issue: State 
Funding, Or More To The Point, Continuous Reduction In State Funding Over 
Time.

Quality Of Education Goes Down As State Funding Decreases Your Recent Article By Anne Karolyi, ``dissecting District Tax Hikes,'' Was Very Informative But Missed The Mark On The Most Substantive Issue: State Funding, Or More To The Point, Continuous Reduction In State Funding Over Time.