South Williamsport School Board passes budget with tax hike | News, Sports, Jobs
The South Williamsport Area School Board approved next year’s final budget with a 0.30 mill real estate tax increase.
The tax hike will mean an additional $30 in taxes for those with properties with an assessed value of $100,000.
The increase brings the district’s overall millage rate to 18.60 mills.
Other taxes are earned income of 1.1% and realty transfer of 0.5%.
The $23.4 million spending plan, which reflects a deficit of more than $400,000, passed by a vote of 8-0.
Voting yes were Todd Engel, Steve Rupert, Cathy Bachman, Sue Bowman, Summer Bukeavich, Nathan Miller, John Hitesman, and Diane Cramer. Ben Brigandi was absent.
The fund balance has been increased from $1.1 million to $2.1 million.
“This balance is assigned for the purposes of future technology upgrades, replacements or unforeseen PSERS increases,” District Superintendent Dr. Eric Briggs explained.
The board voted to keep the capital reserve project budget at or below $370,250 for the 2023-2024 school year.
School directors agreed to revise the bid schedule and cost estimates for the Central Elementary School renovation project.
Bids from firms for the project will now be selected Aug. 3 at a special board meeting. Start of construction is expected to begin Aug. 21.
School directors approved a number of service agreements with BLaST IU 17.
In personnel moves, the board accepted the resignation of Barb McLaughlin, Central Elementary School secretary.
The board approved the following for coaching and extracurricular positions:
• Football — Chris Eiswerth, varsity head coach, $6,825; Chris Lusk, varsity assistant, $4,879; Chris Engler, varsity assistant, $3,593; Randy Boone, varsity assistant, $2,944; Rhett Smith, varsity assistant, $2,674; Jason Wein, junior high head coach, $3,995; and Bill Giles, junior high assistant, $2,674
• Marching Band — Jessica Kaledas, director, $5,439; Robyn Rummings, assistant director, $3,606; Tina Pulver, band front instructor, $3,356; Ellen Benfer, percussion director, $1,071; and Marcus Loner, percussion director, $1,071
• Girls Soccer — Marc Lovecchio, head coach, $3,794, and Jane House, assistant coach, $2,974
• Cross Country — Matt DeBlander, head coach, $3,269
• Junior High Cross Country — Julie Pentico, head coach, $2,096
• Cheerleading — Christine Miller, head coach, $3,794; Mackenzie Miller, assistant coach, $2,974; Aubrey Quimby, junior high head coach, $2,580; and Monica Boone, junior high assistant coach, $2,142
• Junior High Softball — Tom O’Malley, head coach, $2,580, and Cory Goodman, assistant coach, $2,074
• Girls Tennis — Theresa Summerson, head coach, $3,870, and Kent Young, assistant coach, $2,554
• Varsity Softball — Tom O’Malley, head coach, $5,219
• Junior High Girls Basketball — Gregg Anthony, seventh grade coach, $2,944, and Aaron Green, eighth grade coach, $3,435
• Wrestling — Eric Gerber, head coach, $5,583
• Boys Soccer — Chris Vanaskie, head coach, $3,888
• Baseball — Casey Waller, head coach, $5,219
• Boys Basketball — Joe Simon, head coach, $5,206
• Boys Tennis — Kent Young, head coach, $4,167
The board met in executive session prior to the meeting to consider safety and security issues and following the meeting to discuss personnel.
