SMETHPORT — With all nine members present Monday, the Smethport Area School Board unanimously adopted the 2018-19 budget, which amounts to $15,136,296 and increases the property tax millage from the current 18.01 to 18.64.
According to Business Manager Sue Jordan, with the 2018 Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion resolution the board adopted earlier this year, the district’s median assessed valuation is $43,220, which would mean an increase of $28 in school taxes. For a property assessed at $100,000 this increase would be $63. Both increases would be 3.5 percent.
Directors also approved a resolution implementing the Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion for 2018. The assessment exclusion is $10,262 providing a savings of up to $191.28 off the real estate tax bill for those who were approved.
All other taxes for 2018-19 remain unchanged. These include both the $5.00 assessments on all residents aged 18 and older as allowed under the Public School Code of 1949 and Act 511 of 1965; the one percent wage tax and a similar rate for all real estate transfers.
In another fiscal matter, the directors approved the 2018-19 cafeteria budget that is $559,605. Lunch prices for 2018-19 will increase ten cents for students and $.25 for adults, and these extra funding is expected to bring in an additional $4,600.
By another 9-0 vote, the directors approved an agreement with Nutrition Inc. to provide consultant services to manage the food service program until approximately Nov. 1, after they approved the resignation Toni Morris, food service director, effective June 30.
Directors also authorized the administration to initiate a request for proposals process and pursue a food service management company to manage the food service program. When these proposals are received, they will be evaluated and then a determination will be made as to whether to hire a replacement or continue with a manager. No cafeteria workers would be affected since they are covered by a contract.
In personnel matters, Haley Valenti was hired as an elementary teacher. High school English teacher, Christine Lindgren, has resigned for retirement purposes, effective May 31. A replacement is expected to be hired soon.
Directors approved Superintendent David London’s 2017-18 evaluation and attainment of his objective performance standards and set his 2018-19 salary at $120,233 per his contract.
