FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP -- Big spending cuts could be headed to another school district in Luzerne County.
The Crestwood School District in Mountain Top may eliminate kindergarten because of a budget deficit of $1.2 million for the upcoming school year.
While most of the roughly 500 public school districts in Pennsylvania offer kindergarten, it's not mandated by the state. In Crestwood, school leaders want to plug the hole in the budget, and need to find savings somewhere.
"It is nearly impossible for the local tax base to support educational spending, it's just not possible," said Crestwood School District Superintendent Joseph Gorham.
School leaders suggest private schools or home schooling, but that's just not an option for some families.
"How many parents can afford? I can't afford private schooling and what about the working moms? They don't have time."
One woman who recently moved to Mountain Top from Florida has a 6 year old who is preparing to go to kindergarten in the fall. She says that if she had known the district is thinking about cutting kindergarten, she may have reconsidered moving here.
Crestwood School District leaders blame their budget deficit on a state funding formula they call unfair.
"Pennsylvania needs to make a decision. Are we going to be in public education or are we not?" Gorham added.
In addition to eliminating kindergarten, Crestwood is also considering some teacher layoffs and cuts to other programs. The budget for the upcoming school year is due by the end of next month.
