The Smethport Area School Board on Monday adopted the tentative preliminary general fund budget for fiscal year 2018-19 in the amount of $15,147,796.
Despite this first draft spending plan coming in about $110,000 under this year’s budget, it carries an increased cost of $70,000 for approximately 20 students who attend cyber-charter schools, bringing that amount to about $400,000 for the next school year. School director Dan Wertz noted that the district doesn’t have an opportunity to negotiate these expenditures.
When students leave public schools to attend charter schools, the home district is obligated to pay the full cost of their education. Moreover, the district receives no state reimbursement for these expenses.
Beginning Friday, this tentative budget will be on public display in the superintendent’s office until final adoption in June.
In other business, the directors heard first grade reading teachers present a report on the balance literacy approach to reading that has been introduced this year with impressive results. Julie Dennis, Wendy Higley and Krystal Terbovich, along with Karen Scott, reading specialist, explained the various components of this program, which include reading aloud, shared, guided and independent reading, word study and interactive writing.
The end-of-the year results showed many of the first graders reading a year beyond their grade level.
Superintendent David London lauded the teachers for this program’s success, saying, “They took every advantage about learning about the balanced literacy approach. They did a tremendous job. This team excelled beyond our expectations.”
Additional support came from classroom aides and Intermediate Unit 9 personnel added to the program’s success.
Thomas Kerek, a Kane school director and Pennsylvania School Boards Association official, spoke to the board about several current issues impacting many districts across the state. Formerly the PSBAs North Central Region 4 director, Kerek noted that the group has reorganized and now he is sectional advisor in Section 22 with responsibilities of promoting PSBA programs and services.
One of the biggest issues confronting public schools now, he said, is that of cyber charter schools with their voucher program for parents. Kerek also asked the directors to oppose Senate Bill 2 in Harrisburg, which would allow some parents to use state tax funds to send their children to private or religious schools. Opponents say this bill, which renames tuition vouchers “educational savings accounts,” has the potential to drain some $500 million from public education.
Smethport directors have already registered their opposition to this bill.
Kerek noted that cyber charter schools “well underperform public schools.” With public education, “you get a better bang for your buck.”
Wertz, who has called for cyber charter school reform at the state level, pointed to the success of the elementary school’s reading program as explained earlier in the meeting.
To press their stand against cyber charter schools, Kerek urged directors to contact their state lawmakers.
Kerek also mentioned the impact of the fair funding for schools, which only applies to new money.
In a personnel matter, Emily Housler was hired as the new high school band director.
