Authorizing the district solicitor to enter into a stipulation to settle an assessment appeal filed on behalf of Weis Markets, Inc., the Williamsport Area School District board approved an agenda item at its Tuesday meeting that will reduce the assessed value of the company’s property at 636 West Third St.

The property had housed a supermarket owned by the company.

The settlement will be based on the 2018 market value of $1,300,000 for the property. When the appropriate common level ratio of .759 is applied, the assessed value will be $986,700 for 2018 and after that it will be reduced to the agreed amount of $972,400. The common level ratio refers to the ratio of a base year each county uses to assign an assessed value for a property.

In other business, the board accepted a quote from Hustler Turf Equipment, Kansas, for the purchase of two super Z HD Vanguard Big Block EFI Grammer lawn mowers on each for the middle school and the high school at a cost of $12,249 each. Funds will come from the facilities and management budget.

Other bids and contracts approved were:

• A proposal from Automated Logic, Harrisburg, to provide building pressure and temperature/relative humidity sensors for eight district buildings at a total cost of $11,800.

• An estimate from MVT Flooring Inc., Sunbury, for new vinyl flooring for at room at the high school at a cost of $7,320.

• A subscription to the 2019-2024 Pennsylvania Microsoft Enrollment for Education Solutions Program sponsored buy Lancaster Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13, at a cost of $64,183. This allows for the continuation of various Microsoft programs.

Under personnel, the board approved the resignations of: Lucina M. Eiswert, part-time food service worker at Cochran; Erica Y. McCann, part-time middle school aide; Kevin A. Pletz, part-time equipment manager at the high school and Cole R. Bitner, full-time long-term substitute teacher.

They approved hiring the following personnel:

• Coleen Genovese as full-time elementary special education supervisor, effective April 1, at a salary of $95,000.

• Amanda R. Crum as a substitute teacher at a rate of $120 per day for the first 45 days and $130 per day for days beyond that.

Thomas J. Schramm Jr. and Bana C. Sidleck were approved as boys and girls track and field coaches at the high school. These are volunteer positions.

A list of drivers, monitors and mechanics for STA Inc. which provides student transportation was approved by the board.

In preparation for the budget process which is coming up, the district’s business administrator Wanda Erb detailed some of the items which need to be considered, such as tax amounts and possible income from the state budget, that go into formulating the budget for next school year. She noted that the district could receive more from the state as outlined in the governor’s proposed budget.

“If you see your legislators, tell them to support the governor’s budget,” urged Dr. Timothy S. Bowers, district superintendent. He added that the budget should be presented May 7 and a final vote taken on June 18.

Board members present were: Lori Baer, Dr. Jane Penman, Brette Confair, Patrick Dixon, Jennifer Lake, Barbara Reeves, Marc Shefsky, Dr. Nancy Story Somers and Adam Welteroth.

The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. April 2 at the District Center, 2780 West Fourth St.