The Muncy School Board approved a final $20.7 million spending plan for next year that maintains the real estate tax millage at 16.72 mills.

It marks the sixth straight year property owners will avoid a tax increase.

According to budget figures, expenditures exceed revenues by more than $700,000.

However, that deficit will be closed not by a tax hike but with money from the district’s fund balance, according to business manager Andrew Seese.

Overall, the district will generate just under $7.5 million in local revenues from property taxes in the coming year.

The district has not had a real estate tax hike since 2019.

Other taxes are 0.5% real estate

transfer, 1.25% earned income & net profit, and $5 local services.

The board approved a resolution stating its opposition to the Sunny Side Up Farms LLC development in Muncy Creek Township.

The so-called chicken farm has drawn opposition from residents at public meetings in recent months who’ve cited concerns regarding air and water quality as well as highway traffic created by the operation.

Muncy School Director Steven Hill questioned the need for such a resolution.

“We shouldn’t have any input in it. It won’t affect the elementary school at all,” he said.

School director Kim Walker, whose home is near the proposed business, told Hill that he didn’t want to debate the issue. However, he noted that parents of children who attend the school located within proximity of the site do have concerns.

The board acted on various personnel items.

The following were approved for positions:

• Kim Price, speech and language pathologist.

• Erik Berthold, online learning academy coordinator.

• Jason Gresh, high school dean of students, $5,500.

• Jonathan Bennett, practice driving instructor.

• Mark Forwood, substitute custodian, $13 per hour.

• Chris Nau, elementary lunch monitor, $14 per hour.

The board approved the retirement of Joelyne Neidig, Title I Instructional Tutor, and the resignation of Ammon Swisher, boys junior high wrestling coach.

The following personnel were approved for extracurricular and athletic positions:

• Michael Buck, band/marching band director.

• Joanna Kreisher, assistant band director.

• Tiffany Boyles, assistant band director.

• Liam Turnbow, color guard director.

• Bryce Town, assistant varsity football coach.

• Jason Gresh, head varsity boys basketball coach.

• Craig Weaver Sr., head varsity girls basketball coach.

•· Patrick Sparks, head varsity boys wrestling coach.

• Garrett Lee, head varsity girls wrestling coach.

The board approved 15-year scoreboard sponsorship agreements with Susquehanna Transit, Muncy School District Foundation, and UPMC.

Each will pay $15,000 for advertisements of their company or organization for display on indoor scoreboards.

The board approved the following agreements with BLaST 17: Special Education Services, Foundations of Teaching, Equipment Online Learning Services, DARTS Software, Hosted Datacenter Ware Services, and IDEA Pass Through.

A donation of $5,000 from Michael Insurance Agency, Inc. was approved to cover general costs for athletics.

The board met in an executive session following the meeting to consider legal and personnel issues.

The next board meeting will be 7 p.m. Monday, July 21 at the high school.