A preliminary budget of $41 million for Bradford Area School District’s 2018-19 school year, which represents no tax increase, was unanimously approved by the board of education at Monday’s meeting.
Judith Bodamer, district director of finance, presented the preliminary budget to the board, which will vote on the final budget at its June 27 meeting.
In her presentation, Bodamer said the proposed budget, if approved, will have a tax rate of 22.12 mills, with the average taxpayer paying $1,087 in school real estate taxes. She said those who qualify for Homestead/Farmstead credit could receive $309 in deductions.
Bodamer said the district will receive $39,625,484 in local, state, federal and other revenue, while its expenditures will amount to $41,051,530. While this leaves a deficit of $1,426,046, Bodamer said the district will make that up through the fund balance, which will stand at $9,634,439 if used for the budget.
In breaking the proposed budget down, Bodamer said instruction fees take up the bulk of the budget at $23,965,490, or 44 percent. She said instructional salaries will include adding one new guidance counselor, one social studies teacher at the high school and increasing an English Language Learner teacher from part-time status to full-time status.
Some of the major expenditures include laptop replacements at School Street Elementary School for $200,000 and network upgrades at Floyd C. Fretz Middle School at $40,000.
Other major expenditures include the Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System funds at $327,285; health insurance at $312,512, an increase of close to 7 percent; and Cyber Charter Schools fees at $160,000.
In commenting on Cyber Charter Schools, Bodamer said school districts are mandated to pay for these programs. She said the average daily membership of students participating in the online programs is 57, while the total number of students enrolled in Cyber Charter Schools in the school district is 76.
“They’re not logging in everyday,” Bodamer said of district students enrolled in the programs but don’t participate in the schooling regularly.
“I think that’s important for the community to understand, because what’s being put out there is charter schools are free — and they’re not,” Bodamer said. “They’re impacting our taxpayers and they’re impacting our school district.”
In commenting on how to keep future budgets in check, Bodamer said the district should support pension reform, programs and cost-cutting measures to health insurance, grants, and innovative and creative programs.
Following the board’s approval of the proposed budget, Bodamer presented the proposed capital reserve budget that stands at $869,630.The board approved the proposed transfer of a total of $289,600 to be used toward the track and turf replacement at the high school which will cost $383,591. Bodamer had said some of the funds for the replacement have been set aside over the years in anticipation of the project, which was recommended for replacement after eight years and is now in its 10th year.
On another topic, the board recognized and congratulated Kathy Thumpston for receiving the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 2 Citation of Excellence for Teaching.
Thumpston received the award that was given to educators for their lasting contributions in their area of teaching during a recent awards ceremony in Lancaster. Thumpston will retire this year after 18 years as director of the Marching Owls and musical instructor in the school.
In other matters, the board approved the expulsion of a sixth student who violated the weapons policy at the high school on March 26. Five other students were expelled at previous board meetings for similar offenses in February.
Another presentation during the meeting was provided by school guidance counselors who explained the Chapter 339 Plan that will be implemented in the school district, thanks to approval by the board. Guidance counselors Julie Speaker at School Street Elementary, Melissa Olearchick at George G. Blaisdell Elementary, Dave Emerson at Fretz Middle School and Cory Placer at the high school explained the program.
“The purpose of Chapter 339 is to support career planning for all students (kindergarten through 12th grade) starting very early in school and not waiting until high school,” Speaker said.
The program will involve parents in the process, will follow a child’s career plans and will create an electronic career portfolio to keep track of the youngster’s goals and objectives.
In personnel matters, the board approved the resignation of Melissa Krepp, English teacher at the high school, effective April 12; the retirement of Shirley Keck, School Street Elementary secretary, after 31 years of service, effective Aug. 1; and Stephanie McCormick, GGB Elementary teacher, after 23 years of service, effective May 11.
The board also approved the hiring of Mary May, part-time special education aide at School Street Elementary; Stefan Chaussard, social studies teacher at the high school, at a salary of $42,328; and Ashley Waid, secretary at GGB.
And finally, Superintendent Katharine Pude noted the district-wide science fair will be held at 6 p.m. May 25 at Fretz Middle School. In addition, the 2018 senior awards ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. June 5, and the graduation ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. June 7, both at the high school auditorium.
