The members of the Bradford Area School Board voted Monday night
to accept the preliminary 2007-08 budget with no tax increase.
“This is six straight years with no tax increase,” said Business
Manager Kathy Kelly.
The final budget will be presented for approval on June 25.
She also pointed out that there have been no reduction in
programs and they have been able to eliminate per capita taxes,
which equates to a savings for all taxpayers.
Kelly said the challenges the district has faced include a
$43,307 loss in per capita income; a loss in the Wal-Mart
reassessment costing the district $132,140; a loss of medical
access funds of $98,097; and an increase of payment for tuition to
state wards, charter schools and private schools of $223,658.
She explained even with that, in the past three years, the
district has been able to add $2.4 million to the capital
budget.
She also pointed out that as the years have gone by since 2001,
the difference between revenues and expenditures is getting
smaller.
“I think we are really doing a lot to control our expenses in
this district,” she added. “And we are not spending our fund
balance.”
In other business, directors voted to accept a bid from S.M.
Gleason & Co. for $173,675 for ceiling/lighting at Bradford
Area High School.
The directors also voted to reappoint Christian Mattie III as
solicitor for the district at the rate of $8,500 for the retainer
with an hourly rate of $130 for partners and $100 for associates
for work not covered by the retainer.
The directors also decided to reappoint Richard Roupe as
treasurer for the board. He was absent from the meeting.
A transfer of $30,550 from Transportation Equipment to the
Capital Reserve Fund was approved by directors as well for a
drive-on lift, two hydraulic jacking beams and installation.
A presentation was given by four students from Floyd C. Fretz
Middle School who attended a SMART girls conference recently. The
conference, explained math teacher Cindy Murphy, is one that
encourages a strong background in math and science.
“They only allow 50 girls total to attend and we had 25 each
time so we filled half the room,” she explained. The students
attend in spring and fall.
Kayla Hayden showed her design of a dog dish made of plastic as
she explained the process to make it. Tori Hannigan showed off the
false teeth she made at the conference while Lynzy Wheaton’s
Cartoon PowerPoint was shown. Krista Piganelli described a movie
she made at the conference and it was played for directors.
The other participating students who were not present Monday
were Amina Sosic who entered a cryptography workshop and Nadine
Schaefer who attended a CSI workshop.
Chairman Paul Ridley read a letter of thanks sent by Bradford
Regional Medical Center Auxiliary president Dave Sheneman for the
work the students of Fred Proper and Scott Oxley did on designing
and completing a new display case for their HeartStrings store.
In visitor comments, Dorothy Frontino said she hoped that the
woman running for school board, Helen Cummiskey, would actually
attend school board meetings as she hasn’t seen her at one
before.
“We never see them at a meeting, then they come sit there and
tell us how to run the school. I certainly hope this woman starts
to come to these meetings and shows up so we know she is
interested,” said Frontino.
Cummiskey will likely fill the spot created by Don Keck as he
has decided not to run again for a director position. She is
running unopposed.
In her comments, Superintendent Sandra Romanowski talked of the
junior class prom and the fact that the students a very nice
atmosphere. She reminded those in attendance that the students paid
for the fireworks display they held with their own fundraising
funds.
She also said she is proud the students and advisors have been
able to keep the tradition of holding the prom at the school
gym.
“Many school districts choose to use area restaurants for their
proms. Our district has maintained the tradition of using the
gymnasium. This by no means the easiest rode (sic) to take,” said
Romanowski.
