Hatboro-Horsham Considers Senior Citizen Property Tax Exchange

Senior citizens looking to save on their property tax bills may be able to volunteer at Hatboro-Horsham schools in exchange for a tax break.

The school board is looking to put in place the newly enacted Senior Citizen Property Tax Reduction Exchange Program, which 

Superintendent Curtis Griffin said he envisions volunteer services ranging from clerical to reading in classrooms. 

"I think the door is wide open," Griffin said. "It’s not a strategy to replace the workforce."

Board member Barbara LaSorsa asked if the senior citizen volunteers would need to have the same clearances that school district teachers are required to have before working and who would pay for that. 

Bob Reichert, the district's director of business affairs, said the district would need to do more investigation to iron out details. 

Statewide, Reichert said he knows of only two school districts that have implemented the program. 

"The goal is to get seniors more involved," Reichert said. "The purpose is to enhance the educational program."

When asked if the board would like to pursue it, those in attendance during Tuesday night's work session nodded in agreement. 

"I love what that has to offer, the young and the old," school board member Marian McCouch said.