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Board eyes tax hike, 12 options to cut budget deficit

JERSEY SHORE — On Monday, the school board here voted to retain the option to raise real estate taxes beyond the 3.3 percent index that the state allows.

“I always like to stay within that Act 1 index, but with the situation that we’re in now, I’m sure it’s premature to vote (not to go over it),” said Jersey Shore Area School Board member Mary Thomas. “We don’t know where we’re going to end up and what we may need.”

The board voted 7-1 to move forward with applying for exceptions that will enable it to exceed the index. Voting no was member Michelle Stemler, while Craig Allen, Karen Stover, Harry Brungard, John Pecchia, Christopher Fravel, Merrill Sweitzer and Thomas voted yes.

“For the taxpayers, this doesn’t mean we will definitely exceed the (Act 1) index,” Allen said. “It just keeps that option open, similar to keeping the option open to close one or both schools or any of the other items that Dr. (Jill) Wenrich and Mr. (Benjamin) Enders provided for us this evening.”

In addition to looking at increasing taxes as an option, Superintendent Wenrich discussed with the board a list of 12 options to help fight the $2.3 million deficit the school district faces for its 2018-19 budget.

The school board faces a tough decision between the options of closing many programs, the possibility of two school closures and raising taxes in order to bring down the $2.3 million deficit.

In Wenrich’s presentation, she included the following options with approximate cost savings:

• Negotiate a 2018-19 wage freeze for all employees, $536,069.

• Teacher early retirement incentives, $487,693.

• Elementary classroom furloughs, $380,445.

• Program cut of middle school Life Choices, $274,134.

• High school classroom furloughs, $240,894.

• Custodian early retirement incentives, $205,896.

• Program cut of elementary art and music, $139,371.

• Removal of the 1:1 iPad initiative for all grade levels, $54,000.

• Eliminate middle school and high school club advisers, $23,951.

• Limit use of fitness center, $15,000.

• Eliminate ninth-grade sports, $11,870.

• Moving/sale of administrative building, further research needed for cost estimate.

Many of the choices could fluctuate depending on negotiations, issues with current contracts, how many may be willing to take incentives and other variables. Some positions, such as custodians, would need to be replaced.

“I’ve said publicly that I’d be giving a presentation with other options that are outside of my recommendation, which was the closing of Avis and Salladasburg elementary schools and the reconfiguration of the district in order to meet the needs of the projected budget deficit,” Wenrich said.

She said she tried to cast a wide net to look into the various areas of the district to consider for cutting back.

“I am not saying any of these options are good options, but, unfortunately, this is a reality we are facing due to the projected deficit,” she said.

Allen said that looking at all 12 options together could have a total savings of $2.3 million to fight the deficit.

“All of these combined would be roughly what our deficit is now,” he said.

Wenrich said that she believed all 12 are options that could and should be considered, as well as the original recommendation to close the two elementary schools.

Sweitzer asked if any other options are being considered.

“I’ve given you 13 options,” Wenrich said. “At this point in time, no (other options). I think this cuts deep.”

There are two public hearings scheduled for closing the two elementary schools. They are scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Jersey Shore Area Middle School, 601 Thompson St.

“Thursday is the public hearing for Avis. Friday is the public hearing for Salladasburg. At those hearings, I will give an updated figure as to what those closings will garner,” Wenrich said.

In other business, the board voted 7-1 to begin bus transportation on Jan. 29 for students on the newly designated hazardous roads of Shaffer Lane, South Broad Street, River Road and areas north of Allegheny Street.

In the same vote, the board approved to retain the existing crossing guard on Allegheny Street for the remainder of the 2017-18 school year as a transition period to the newly provided transportation for the students north of Allegheny Street.

Stemler was the only no vote.

Member Kelley Wasson was absent.

The next school board meeting will be 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Jersey Shore Area School District Administration Building, 175 A and P Drive.

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