United Eyes 4.3-Mill Tax Increase
Posted on: Saturday, 17 May 2008, 00:00 CDT
By Jeff Himler
ARMAGH--Property owners in United School District face a proposed 4.3-mill tax increase as part of a tentative $18.5 million district budget for 2008-09.
The tentative spending plan, approved by the school board at its Tuesday meeting, represents a 2.98 percent increase from the current year's budget.
Karl Olschesky, director of finance, said the district, which uses about 120,000 gallons of fuel oil in a year, is feeling the pinch of increased energy costs as well as higher costs for special education programs.
State funding is not keeping pace with those increases, he noted, with United expecting an increase of just 1.5 percent in the basic education subsidy it receives from Harrisburg.
Helping to offset other rising costs, "We're not replacing one retiree from our teaching staff," said Superintendent Dr. Kathy Myers Wunder. She explained there will be three Title I remedial teachers at the school, down from four, since one of the instructors has opted to transfer to a kindergarten vacancy that will be left by the departing faculty member.
Also, Wunder said, "We're watching our spending. We take part in cooperative purchasing agreements whenever we can."
Even with the proposed tax hike, to 78 mills, the district will need to dip into its fund balance to supplement expected revenues of $16.3 million.
Olschesky said the added millage will increase the average taxpayer's annual bill by about $49.
But he pointed out those property owners who were approved for a farmstead or homestead exemption also will see their tax bill reduced, as the district passes along its initial share of funding from state gambling proceeds to those eligible property owners.
According to Olschesky, there are more than 2,000 owners with homestead exemptions in the district and 41 with farmstead exemptions. He recommended that all be provided the same tax reduction, estimated at $209 each.
In personnel matters Tuesday, the school board hired Christopher Theys of Ligonier as its new assistant elementary principal at a salary of $65,000.
Theys, who has served as a family support coordinator and emotional support teacher at Ferndale Elementary School for four years, will be on board at United by July 1. Originally from Ruffsdale, he is a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College.
He will replace Ron Moyer, who is retiring, and also will take over Moyer's additional role of district transportation coordinator.
Theys said he's excited to begin his new post serving the district and its elementary students. He said he was attracted to United by "the wonderful atmosphere and community feeling of the school."
While there were a number of worthy candidates among the 28 applicants for the post, Wunder said Theys was the best fit for United: "He has a love of students and an enthusiasm for the role" of assistant principal.
The board tabled action on re-hiring facilities coordinator Edward Sutter and assistant coordinator Clay Skedel as district employees. Originally on the district staff, they continued in their roles over the past several years when their positions were outsourced to a contractor. But the board recently ended that contract.
Wunder said the board is considering new formal contracts with the two employees before taking further action at its next regular meeting, set for June 25.
United also hired Michele Anderson as a long-term substitute for social studies instructor Amy Shellhammer. Anderson was approved to fill in through the end of the 2008-09 school year.
The board accepted the resignation, due to retirement of business office secretary Pam Silk, effective Aug. 15. Previously secretary to the school board, she has completed 23 years of service with the district.
Also resigning are elementary aide Stephanie Boring, head girls' varsity basketball coach Wayne Warfel and Brittany Alter, assistant junior high cheerleading coach. Alter will step down after tryouts for the 2008-09 squad are completed.
Filling the coaching vacancies, United approved Heather Meese as the new head girls' basketball coach for 2008-09, at a supplemental salary of $4,033.18, and Laura Wissinger as the assistant junior high cheerleading coach, at $1,273.64.
Also, Mike Wilt resigned as the assistant varsity wrestling coach to accept the top spot on the coaching staff, at $4,033.18.
Other approved coaching assignments were: Lance Holupka, assistant varsity football, $2,971.82; Tim Ault, assistant varsity girls' basketball, $2,865.68; Bill Clevenger, seventh-grade girls' basketball, $2,441.14; Tom Whitcomb, cross country, $2,016.59; Mary Miller and Jackie Allison, who will share head coaching roles for both varsity and jv cheerleaders, each receiving a salary of $3,396.36.
Faculty members Marbeth Golba and Terri Myers were upgraded on the pay scale, to the respective levels of master's degree plus 15 credits, and master's degree.
United agreed to amend its flexible benefits plan, increasing to $2,000 the amount an employee may elect to contribute to a personal medical expense reimbursement account.
The board tabled a proposed agreement that would set a premium reimbursement level and documentation procedures for instructors who elect to waive hospitalization coverage through the district. Reportedly, the agreement lacked sufficient support from the United Education Association.
United renewed for three years its agreement with the Channel One Network, which provides in-class video programming for students at no cost to the district.
The district also approved an agreement for the ARIN Intermediate Unit to provide the district technology support services, at a negotiated hourly rate, and renewed a contract through July 2010 with Camco, a service provider that offers physical and occupational therapy for students, as needed.
Instructor Cristen Black was authorized to take 12 students to the National FFA Convention Oct. 21-26 in Indianapolis, at a cost of $2,555.
Among donations the district received was $1,944 from the United Elementary PTG, to purchase computers for the elementary library, and $100 from the family of retired elementary teacher Jane Trimm, to purchase books for the library.
School director Daniel Clevenger, who was absent, was named board treasurer, with bond set at $25,000. Edwin M. Clark was reappointed district solicitor, at a salary of $3,940.
Also, Michael Garver was appointed school dentist, receiving $2 per exam, while Doctors Henry E. Baldinucci and Phillip J. Turco will serve as school physicians, receiving salaries of $4,000 each.
The board approved a list of 110 high school seniors for graduation, providing they meet all requirements, including completion of academic credits.
Commencement for the United Class of 2008 is set for 7 p.m. June 3 at the high school football field. A baccalaureate service for the seniors is planned for 6:30 p.m. June 2.
At the elementary school, a graduation ceremony for sixth- graders is set for 6 p.m. May 30.
Public relations committee chairperson Denise Miller-Buzzinotti congratulated: May Seniors of the Month Eleanor Provias and Leslie Bartlebaugh; William Boring, who was accepted to the Pa. Governor's School for Agricultural Science; Lauren Dziagwa, who was honored as the 2008 Indiana County Ms. Majorette and was awarded two scholarships to attend the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown next fall.
Miller-Buzzinotti noted United's team of Mike Kress, Mitchell DeRubis, Derek Papakie and Willima Bryan placed first at the annual Heritage Conference academic competition. DeRubis was named the current events conference MVP.
United elementary student Hillary Hoover placed fourth at the Indiana County Principals' Spelling Bee.
An annual spring drive at the grade school netted 1,350 food items, leveraging a matching $1,350 donation to the local food bank from the Feinstein Foundation.
(c) 2008 Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
Source: Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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