SMETHPORT — With one director absent Monday, the Smethport Area School Board adopted the $18,152,432 budget for 2021-22 that carries a slight tax increase of less than one-half mill.
By using $300,000 from the Public School Employees’ Retirement System designated fund balance and $60,000 from the debt service designated fund balance, directors were able to balance the budget by increasing the real estate tax rate from the current 19.27 mills to 19.69 mills.
The budget passed unanimously. Dr. Jason Tronetti cast the lone vote against the millage increase.
All other current taxes remain unchanged. These include the two $5.00 per capita levies permitted under separate state laws, as well as the one percent wage tax and one percent levy on all real estate transactions.
In another financial matter, the directors adopted a resolution implementing the Homestead Farmstead Exclusion for 2021. The assessment exclusion is $9,998.13 providing a savings of up to $196.86 off the real estate bill for all those who were approved.
Several cafeteria items also gained approval. These were the 2021-22 budget that amounts to $598,580 and the ala carte increased prices for the elementary and secondary schools.
Directors approved the contract with UPMC Cole for athletic training services for the next school year at an annual cost of $30,800. A $200 contribution to the Smethport Fire Department was OKd.
In another vote, the directors tabled a motion renewing the ball field agreement with Smethport Borough for the 2021-22 academic year. Marklyn Simms was the lone vote against this motion.
The board approved Superintendent David London’s 2021-22 school year salary at $125,000, the current rate, pro-rated for July 1, 2021 to July 9, 2021, when he retires.
In separate votes during this meeting that had a lengthy agenda, directors approved London’s performance goals and evaluation for the 2020-21 school year.
In personnel matters, Jodi Wichensky was hired as an elementary guidance counselor to begin Aug. 11 for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and ten additional summer work days at the per diem rate of the contract.
The district’s new business manager, Jeff Wagner, is now an authorized Berkheimer representative for the school district. Berkheimer Tax Innovators is the district’s collector of earned income taxes.
In his last report to the directors — the board traditionally does not meet in July — London noted the Pennsylvania Department of Education will require districts to have health and safety plans to reopen for the new school year.
“There were 54 cases of COVID-19 in the district this past school year, more than some districts and fewer than many others,” London said, as he thanked the staff for their efforts in keeping the schools open as much as possible.
Looking back at his five years as superintendent, London thanked the directors, staff and students for their support, saying, “We have made a lot of changes, all for the better of the district.
“Smethport is the nicest district I have ever worked in. I will miss Smethport and the students.”
On behalf of the directors, President Dan Wertz presented London with a gift for his service to the district.
Brice Benson who served as secondary principal most of the 2020-21 school year, will succeed London as superintendent.
Wertz and the directors also lauded Julia Anderson, for her knowledge and expertise as director of special education for the past seven years. A Kane resident, Anderson has been named director of special education at Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit Nine.
In an informational item, it was stated the high school administration will be approving a cooperative agreement with Knoch High School for Smethport students to play hockey in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League.
