JERSEY SHORE – In the ongoing discussion of Jersey Shore Area School District’s deficit, the school board asked to look into options regarding selling schools after hearing a long-term financial outlook presentation during its meeting on Monday.

“I would like to make a request in public that the administration provide to us a new cost savings associated with the closure of Avis independently of Salladasburg, and then combined together,” said Dr. John Pecchia, board member. “We had numbers from last year, but we’ve had furloughs. I’m not sure what that does to cost savings, so as we’re addressing a $1 million shortfall, before we even start … let’s start early and see what we can come up with.”

Dr. Jill Wenrich, superintendent, said options were already being looked into.

“The administration has already started looking at that as well as other cost savings across the district for the 19-20 school year,” she said. “We are being proactive.”

Ben Enders, district business manager, said the current budget deficit for the district is $110,499 for 2018-19, but the projected deficit for 2019-20 is $1,035,469. He said the projected deficit for 2021-22 is $3,560,851.

“These assumptions are no revenue growth except for the state retirement and social security subsidies. No changes in expenditures other than salaries and benefits,” he said.

He said the numbers reflect the final budget that was passed in June.

“Budget deficits continue year to year. Hopefully to simplify that statement … The good news is we took the $605,000 deficit that carried into the 18-19 budget year, and we reduced it down to $110,499,” he said. “So, we did reduce some of that deficit from the prior year in the decisions that were made in the current 18-19 budget.”

However, the decisions which included program cuts and teacher furloughs weren’t enough to get rid of the district’s deficit.

The board unanimously approved Keith Veldhuis, current principal of Jersey Shore Area Elementary, to be the middle school principal remaining at his current salary of $104,967 effective Aug. 1. He will be replacing Laura Milarch, who retired as of July 20.

In the same vote, the board approved Adrienne Johnston, current assistant principal of Jersey Shore Area Elementary, to be the Jersey Shore Area Elementary principal at a salary of $104,967 effective Aug. 1.

In other business, the board formed a committee to discuss it’s policy regarding public comment and being able to address questions at the time the public asks during board meetings if the board is able to answer the question.

Present at the meeting were members Merrill Sweitzer, Craig Allen, Harry Brungard, Pecchia, Michelle Stemler, Karen Stover, Christopher Fravel, Mary Thomas and Kelley Wasson.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 13 at the administration office, 175 A and P Drive.