10-05-2025
Letters: Penn State trustees should realign budget priorities
An organization's priorities are best gleaned through its budget. Athletics is flourishing. The PSU Athletics FY 2023/2024 budget was $221 million with a trendline increase of $14 million/year. On the other hand, our Commonwealth Campus System FY24/25 budget of $393 million will be reduced by $79 million over the next two years.
Given these trends, in about four years the Athletics budget will exceed the total CCS budget. Notably, if the new PSU budget plan allocates the CCS budget proportional to enrollment, then the total budget at each of 12 PSU campuses (Beaver, Dubois, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, Hazelton, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Scranton, Shenango, Wilkes Barre, York) would be less than $12 million. A jarring comparison is that three of our football coaches, together, are paid $12 million.
Is this trustee stewardship of PSU finances acceptable or is dramatic change needed?
Consider a partnership that links academic investment with football success. Earmark just 1% of the Athletics budget to support 100 rising CCS juniors, matriculating to University Park, with $20,000 'football' scholarships. Gameday football programs could feature a class photo with 100 PA hometowns prominently displayed and viewed by 100,000 fans each week. No doubt, PSU alumni and PA legislators (even ESPN) would love such an imaginative investment. In the current environment in which college sports is becoming all about money, some measure of sanity would garner Penn State national acclaim.
Al Soyster, Boalsburg
Jesse Barlow is an outstanding candidate for State College school board. As a parent of two SCASD educated kids who has lived in the area for more than 40 years, he knows our community and our schools. He has fine leadership and listening skills developed in part during his eight-year stint on the State College Borough Council. And Jesse's work with the Centre County Advisory Council for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission means that he understands civil rights law and is able to advocate for policies of diversity, equity and inclusion in our schools.
I know Jesse as a capable, compassionate person with the energy and patience to work for a quality community over the long term. I am especially proud of his campaign statement, that every child should be able to have a good education in a welcoming environment, whatever their social backgrounds. It's a big district, with a lot of different types of families and a lot of different educational goals, and Jesse gets that. Jesse also has the ability to work through the complexities of projects like building renovations, which are crucial if we want to maintain quality schools. I've worked side by side with Jesse for racial justice, and can testify that he is not afraid to speak up when he sees someone has been unfairly treated. He is aware that when we fail to lift up everyone in the community, it affects all of us. Vote for Jesse!
Janet Irons, State College
I am writing to share why you should vote for Jennifer Black for SCASD school board. As a former teacher, Jen has experienced the challenges teachers are facing on a daily basis. As a parent, Jen sees and hears firsthand the challenges students are dealing with daily. As a concerned citizen who has been attending SCASD board meetings for the past 10 months, Jen has witnessed the challenges school board members face day in and day out. These qualifications make Jen perfectly suited to join the SCASD school board. She knows there are opportunities to create connections between the district's administration, school board members, teachers and community members. She is determined to improve open communication to create deeper partnerships across the district. This is vital to ensure every student is receiving the education, support and care they deserve. Jen has observed that concerns from teachers, students, community members and even board members have been misunderstood, avoided and silenced. Jen is a compassionate listener with an open mind who would never use a policy or a budget as an excuse to avoid change. She is committed to welcoming all opinions so she can make well-balanced, thoughtful decisions. When she knows something can be improved, she is determined to fight for the best outcome possible. SCASD has a bright future with Jen on its school board. Please join me in voting for Jennifer Black for SCASD school board.
Lydia Myers, State College
Donald Trump must be insane. He posted a photo of himself dressed like the Pope!
No American president in his right mind would ever have considered such a thing, never mind have actually done it.
Did he actually think it was funny or somehow appropriate to do this at any time, especially a week after Pope Francis died and was buried?
He has insulted and mocked the Catholic Church and millions of Catholics around the world.
He has disgraced and embarrassed America's standing in the world.
We already thought, since his first term, that he has dementia and has cognitive deficits that lead to his erratic speech and actions. Now it is clear that he has lost touch with reality.
It is time to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove him from office.
He is dangerous to leave in the presidency!
Deborah Carol Smith, Bellefonte
