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JERSEY SHORE -- The 2023-24 proposed final general fund budget presented at the Jersey Shore school board meeting this week hinted that there might be a slight increase in taxes for district property owners.
With the projected budget deficit around $500,000, Ben Enders, district business manager, said that real estate taxes could be rebalanced which would increase taxes for Lycoming County residents by $26.54 for every $100,000 of a property's assessed value and by $2.32 for Clinton County residents for the same property value.
The increase would generate $200,000 in additional revenue with the remainder of the deficit being covered by various fund balances, Enders said.
The total expenditures are expected to be $46,280,847, and the revenue from various sources is projected to be $45,826,164.
Inflation accounts for some of the increase in the expenditures as well as an increase in the tuition rates for charter schools and an increase in the special education contract the district has with the Intermediate Unit, Enders explained.
By approving the budget presentation at the meeting, Dr. Brian Ulmer, superintendent, said that the board is not setting the new tax rate.
"Essentially where you are right now, you're accepting these figures so that we can post them publicly for 30 days," Ulmer said.
"They can change for the next 30 days. We can get new updated information and put it in. You're not doing anything other than essentially accepting the report. We'll post it for 30 days prior to taking the final vote. We can still make adjustments during those 30 days. This is the next step in the process," Ulmer said.
Other items approved were awarding the 2023-24 copy paper bid award/CSIU to various vendors at a cost of $37,121; awarding 2023-24 general supplies to various vendors for an additional $4,363; awarding 2023-24 art supplies to various vendors at a total additional cost of $1,596; and participation in the Wex Fuel Fleet program.
The board approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the district and BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 for science curriculum coaching and support at $550 per day from no more than 10 days in the upcoming school year.
Other items approved under curriculum included the purchase of Contemporary Economics and the Adventures in Food textbook.
Under personnel, the board approved the following actions: Kylie McGinley as volunteer cheer coach; correcting the resignation date for Brent Wheeland, career & technical education teacher at the high school, to effective April 12, 2023; Gerald Hammaker II as a volunteer for swimming coach; and Linda Delaney as game staff.
They also accepted letters of resignation from Amanda Houtz, part-time food service worker, and a letter of retirement from Jeannne Gallagher, kindergarten teacher at Jersey Shore Area Elementary School after 23 years of service.
Other approved action items included the donation of a custom-ordered toolbox for the high school shop room; an agreement between the district and Merakey Pennsylvania to provided educational services to children with autism and/or emotional disturbance; an MOU between the district and Lackawanna College for dual enrollment; and a three-year agreement with Lifetouch Portraits.
Several board policies were also approved at the second reading.
At the beginning of the meeting, athletic director Serena Henry shared with the board that in a recent survey about what sports students would like added to the district's athletics, volleyball was the first choice. Henry told the board what would be needed to bring that sport to the district.
The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m., May 22, at the District Board Room, 175 A&P Drive.