Dear Wynnewood Neighbor:
The years-long litigation between several Lower Merion residents and the Lower Merion School District and the Lower Merion School Board over the school district’s procedures for tax increases has finally been settled. In a remarkable turn of events, a settlement agreement has been reached in the case of ARTHUR ALAN WOLK, PHILIP BROWNDEIS, and CATHERINE MARCHAND v. LOWER MERION SCHOOL DISTRICT, filed more than six years ago. Pursuant to the settlement, Lower Merion taxpayers will receive refunds and tax credits and, importantly, the school board has agreed to more transparency in its finances. On Monday, June 13th at the Lower Merion School Board meeting, the school board members voted unanimously voted to approve the settlement.
This settlement is the result of the Herculean efforts by Gladwyne attorney, Arthur Wolk, who litigated the case for over six years entirely at his expense.
Mr. Wolk issued the following statement after the settlement was finalized:
“I am pleased to acknowledge the settlement of our lawsuit against the Lower Merion School District. The result was achieved through mediation and face to face discussions with counsel for the district.
“It results in meaningful reductions in taxes for the period 2016-to 2025 and an obligation to engage in accurate budgeting with full transparency to the taxpayers of Lower Merion and Narberth.
“The payments and credits that are part of the settlement come from surplus and not from funds required for the full, undiminished, and unfettered operation of the Lower Merion School District.
“I have worked thousands of hours for the benefit of the public in this case and I will accept no fee for my work. I will donate my tax refund to a needy Philadelphia Public School.”
Welcome 