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The South Williamsport Area School Board Monday night approved a 2020-21 budget that holds the line on real estate taxes.
The $19.5 million spending plan is supported by a tax millage rate of 16.78.
Other revenue sources in support of the budget are a 1.1 percent earned income tax and 0.5 percent real transfer tax.
To help avoid a property tax hike, the board earlier this month approved refinancing of general obligation bonds.
Voting in favor of the budget were board members Nathan Miller, Sue Bowman, Diane Cramer, Cathy Bachman, Todd Engel, Nicholas Fiorini, Paul McGinn and Erica Molino. Airneezer Page was absent.
In other matters, the board approved a $563,819 lease agreement with Apple Inc. for iPads.
The four-year lease includes a $100,000 upfront payment and $117,673 in annual payments beginning in the upcoming school year.
Funding in the first year will come from federal CARES Act dollars and COVID grant money.
The board approved a three-year agreement with UPMC Susquehanna to provide an athletic trainer for varsity, junior varsity and junior high sporting events.
The cost is $31,212 for 2020-21, $31,836 for 2021-22 and $31,836 for 2022-23.
The board approved Cheryl Schonewolf as the district's pandemic coordinator.
Her job will involve the development and execution of health and safety plans for the district.
A pandemic team to include staff, parents and students will assist with the process.
The board rejected a motion to reimburse a dental hygienist for educational courses required for her certification.
Under an agreement with the district, Amanda Grace Hicks would remain with the district for three years in exchange for payment of five courses.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Stamm noted that the state Department of Health requires school districts to provide dental education programs to students.
No further action was taken on the matter.
The board approved the following personnel for positions:
• Kelsey Shannon, elementary school counselor.
• Ambreelinne Birth, high school health and physical education teacher.
• Sandi Finnerty, Mountie Academy/Social-Emotional Itinerant Support Teacher.
• Madeline Matthews, 11th and 12th Grade Itinerant Learning Support position.
• Jacque Newlen, 9th to 12th Grade Supplemental Learning Support position.
Step placement and salaries for each of the positions will be approved at a later date.
The following personnel were approved for paid coaching and other extracurricular positions for the 2020-21 school year:
• Chris Eiswerth, head coach, varsity football, $5,875.
• Chris Lusk, first assistant coach, football, $4,019.
• Chris Engler, second assistant coach, football, $2,823.
• Randy Boone, third assistant coach, football, $2,674.
• Sam Buck, fourth assistant coach, football, $2,674.
• Alex Peluso, head coach, junior high football, $3,120.
• Rob Houseknecht, head coach, boys basketball, $4,731.
• Justin Marnon, head coach, girls basketball, $4,731,
• Eric Gerber, head coach, wrestling, $4,744.
• Casey Waller, head coach, baseball, $4,880.
• Marc Lovecchio, head coach, girls soccer, $3,455.
• Jane House, assistant coach, girls soccer, $2,674.
• Chris Vanaskie, head coach, boys soccer, $3,549.
• Tom Packard, head coach, volleyball, $3,455.
• Terry Packard, assistant coach, volleyball, $2,674.
• Theresa Summerson, head coach, girls tennis, $3,076.
• Kent Young, assistant coach, girls tennis, $2,317.
• Matt DeBlander, head coach, cross country, $2,975.
• Tom O'Malley, head coach, girls softball, $2,340.
• Adam Lorson, assistant coach, girls softball, $2,006.
• Gregg Anthony, 7th grade coach, junior high girls basketball, $2,674.
• Aaron Green, 8th grade coach, junior high girls basketball, $3,120.
• Christine Miller, head coach, cheerleading, $3,455.
• Mackenzie Miller, assistant coach, cheerleading, $2,674.
• Heather Bower, head coach, junior high cheerleading, $2,340.
• Jessica Kaledas, band director, $4,600.
• Marcus Loner, percussion instructor, $1,500.
• Tina Pulver, band front instructor, $2,100.
• Robyn Rummings, assistant director, $2,100.
Also at the meeting, the board:
• Approved policies on second reading for electronic devices and student iPads.
• Approved tenure for James Girardi. It was noted that Girardi has completed three years of satisfactory teaching.