CATAWISSA RR - No teacher furloughs are expected for Southern Columbia Area School District in the 2013-14 school year, but taxes will likely be increased once the board passes the final budget next month.
In order to erase a $454,000 deficit in the $18,089,377 budget, Business Manager Mike Sokoloski explained Monday night that Northumberland County property owners will see a 2.91 increase in real estate millage, raising the rate to 52.86 mills, and Columbia County property owners will see a 1.6-mill boost to 35.8 mills.
On a property assessed at $26,695, Northumberland County residents would see an average increase of $77.68 a year while Columbia County residents with a property assessed at $32,288 would see an average increase of $51.66 a year.
The district was approved last month for an exception by the state to raise taxes above the maximum threshold in order to help balance the budget.
Other strategies included not replacing two employees following their retirements and shifting personnel after a third retirement, Sokoloski said.
Superintendent Paul Caputo thanked the board, the administration and Sokoloski for their hard work in developing the budget.
"It's a good, responsible budget," he said. "You had the interest of students and education in mind."
The board will be voting next week on the proposed final budget, and will likely adopt the final budget at one of its June meetings.
Contract negotiations
Vice President Charlie Porter said the American Federation of State, Municipal and County Employees (AFSCME), the union that represents non-teaching staff, voted to accept the latest proposal from the district. He said the board will be ready to vote on it as soon as it is reviewed by all board members.
There is no increase to salary next year, a 25-cent per hour increase in year two and a 30-cent increase in year three, Porter said.
Negotiations with the teacher's union and Act 93 employees that includes administration are ongoing, he said.
Art and buses
In other business, the board voted:
- To accept a donation in the amount of $15,000 for the creation of a K-12 art gallery in the high school.
- To award M.A. Brightbill Body Works Inc. a $93,000 contract for two 72-passenger Blue Bird Vision School buses and a $42,125 contract for an 18-passenger Blue Bird Micro Bird School Minibus.
- To approve three change orders in the renovation and addition projects in the amount of $14,297, and one change order resulting in a credit of $26,825.
- Reappointed Richard Roberts as school solicitor for July 1 through June 30, 2014, at $105 per hour.