SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO Jersey Shore Area School Board is planning on paying for repairs at Avis Elementary School, above, with a bond.

JERSEY SHORE – Although the resolution establishing the parameters for obtaining bonds to finance capital projects passed, two Jersey Shore Area School Board members voted no to the agenda item which results in the district taking on more debt.

Board members Kayla Calhoun and Mary Thomas voted against the resolution while Michelle Stemler, Michael Allen, Harry Brungard, Jessie Edwards, Cheri Peters, Tim McDonnell and Bill Pfirman cast yes votes.

Brungard questioned why the resolution stated that the bond was for $12 million at 5.5 percent interest, while the board had discussed borrowing $10 million at about 4 percent interest.

Ben Enders, district business manager, explained that in the presentation at last month’s meeting, a representative from the bond counsel had warned that the amount would appear to be higher.

“”What that will allow the bond counsel to do, the financial consultants, PFM, to do is they’ll be able to select the bonds they want to get our debt portfolio, what we call flat-funded where they’re basically equal out the payments year over year,” Enders said. “That’s this first step.” “Regarding the rates, this is a parameters’ resolution. The 5.5 percent is not the rate that you’re approving. That is the top of the parameter. Right now they are projecting the rates to come in around 4 percent,” he said.

The board approved amendments to the initial Guaranteed Energy Savings Act Agreements with Reynolds Energy Services Inc., doing business as SitelogIQ Energy Services Inc., for improvements to the Avis Elementary and Jersey Shore Middle School HVAC systems.

The work at Avis was expected to cost $5,124,821. The amendment to the agreement adds $564,009, which will be funded in part by the Pennsylvania School Facilities Improvement Grant in that amount, bringing the total to $5,688,830.

The improvements to the Jersey Shore Middle School HVAC system in an amount not to exceed $3,246,749. Prior to the amendment, the initial agreement for the Middle School project was $5,688,830. The amended amount brings the total to $8,935,579.

In other actions, the board approved: the transfer of $22,500 form the committed fund balance back to the unassigned fund balance per the legal settlement that expired on Jan. 23; an addendum to an agreement with ESS Northeast LLC (Source for Teachers) to extend it from June 30, 2025 through June 30, 2027; an addendum to an agreement with ESS for substitute teachers and staff; and the payroll schedule for the next school year.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the district and the Pennsylvania College of Technology for dual enrollment was approved. An agreement with the Community Services Group for student referrals for mental health and/or intellectual developmental disabilities was also okayed by the board.

Under personnel, the board approved the following sports coaches for the following positions at the stipend listed, if applicable: McKinley Thompson, co-assistant varsity track and field coach, $1,279.20; Skylar Shuey assistant Middle School track and field coach, $2,399.00; Stuart Haight a and Ryan Seasholtz, volunteer wrestling coaches; and Cayden Hess and Stanton Westin, volunteer football coaches.

They approved hiring Randall Renninger to a full-time maintenance position, at $22.31 per hour.

Letters of retirement were accepted from the following employees: Lisa Cenimo, Jersey Shore Area Elementary School kindergarten teacher and grade level leader, after 19 years of service; Barbara Fedele, Middle School ELA teacher, after 32 years of service; Janna Riggle, High School ELA teacher, after 21 years of service; Gerald Mitcheltree, crossing guard, after 18 years of service; and Bob Fox as department coordinator and head boy’s track and field coach.

Resignations were also accepted from: Bonnie Mitcheltree, crossing guard; Nathan Truax, warehouse employee; and Laura Eck, head cheerleading coach.

The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m., March 24 at the District Administration Building, 175 A&P Drive.