Introducing myself as the writer of this petition, I am Johnathan Polyblank, A Connellsville alumni of 2024. I am an Eagle Scout of Troop 180 out of Dunbar. I was born and raised here in Fayette County.

To cut to the chase, this petition is against the county-wide tax reassessment in Fayette County, PA proposed by the Laurel Highlands School board, they are pressuring the county government to enact a full reassessment of all real estate property to bring more money to the school districts to keep some of their unnecessary and lower-student count school buildings open, they are seeking other school districts in the county to follow suit and back them up against the county in this endeavor.  Here in Connellsville, we have closed multiple schools for similar reasons, it was fiscally irresponsible to keep these unneeded and unnecessary schools open when it is easier to bus the students that would go there to a different school. The schools said students would be taken to would need more staff to accommodate the higher student count, protecting many jobs of the teachers at the to-be-closed schools. Many of us do not believe it is right to hike our taxes up instead of managing funds in a better way or finding another solution.

Like countless hardworking residents of Fayette County, I find myself facing an economic strain that seems insurmountable in the current economy. We're all working harder than ever - many of us juggling multiple jobs and commitments - to weather the storm. In the face of such challenges, a tax reassessment seems not merely inconvenient but detrimental. Fayette County residents, many similarly feeling the pinch of the current economy, are united in this plea: halt the tax reassessment proposed by Laurel Highlands school board.

The proposed reassessment is not an isolated issue. It adds to an economic strain already apparent in our society. For instance, 16.2% of Fayette County's population lives below the poverty line. To add a tax increase to this strain could be devastating for our county's most vulnerable residents. 

We are united in our plea to the County Government to reconsider this step. We are calling for transparency, fairness, and empathy from our officials and a reaffirmation of their commitment to the citizens they serve. This is not simply an economic issue, but a question of the spirit and resilience of Fayette County. Join us as we petition the local government to halt the looming tax reassessment pushed by a local school board. It is intended to be decided this Thursday, December 19th.

UPDATE: It was voted yes by Vicites and Dunn(Remember this when you go to vote next time) to a 25% increase in property taxes in the county, or 1.25mill. Please sign today to try and halt this before it goes into a true effect. We can stop this, please share this online so everyone can have a say in this matter!

If you work hard for your dollar, don't let them take it away from you, sign this petition today to show our feelings as citizens and taxpayers.