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The Loyalsock Township School Board passed its final budget for the 2025-26 school year, along with several other items at its June meeting Wednesday night.
A previously proposed millage increase of .25 was removed in the budget's final form.
"In looking at where we're at currently, and some real estate transactions that have occurred in the township, along with new interest rates that we locked into for some investments, coupled with the continual discussions down at the state level, only a portion of those revenues are in this budget. We have a lot of things that I think we can look forward to in a positive way," district Business Manager Dan Egly said in explaining the change.
"We have a healthy fund balance, and during the 2026-27 school year, the district will be looking at roughly a $700,000 reduction in our debt service, which will greatly reduce the deficits moving forward," he said while cautioning that a lot can happen in that time.
In financial matters, the board approved a contract with Larson, Kellett & Associates, Montoursville to perform auditing services for the district for the school years ending June 30, 2025 through June 30, 2027, at a cost of $44,500 for the first year, with an expected $2,000 increase year to year; the Amplified Core Knowledge Language Arts pilot program for the 2025-26 school year at a cost not to exceed $64,718.08; an agreement with Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit for computer services for the 2025-26 school year in the amount of $6,675; the purchase and installation of a generator to provide backup power to the district's servers, networks, etc. from Hunter & Lominson, Inc., city, at a cost of $84,000.00; and the sale of a 2005 Chevrolet 2500HD truck with a plow for $2,600.
Upon approval by the board, the district entered into a pre-college agreement with Lackawanna College for the 2025-26 school year.
"They have a list of courses that they'll offer in the fall. I believe it's around 65 different courses that will be available for our students to earn college credits while in school, and also they do an evaluation of our existing curriculum for many of our advanced classes, and some of those classes could even qualify for kids for college credits," Superintendent Gerald McLaughlin explained.
Staffing changes given approval by the board include Adin Hinojosa as a temporary professional employee assigned as a music teacher, effective Aug. 18, 2025; Ashley Russo as a temporary professional employee assigned as a special education teacher, effective Aug. 18, 2025; a number of summer custodial and maintenance workers at an hourly rate of $14.00; and, after approving the combination of Buildings & Grounds Supervisor and Transportation Supervisor into Transportation & Facilities Supervisor, appointed Noah Bower to the position, at a salary of $75,000.00 for the 2025-26 school year.
The resignations of Donna Moyer and Michael Maher, both custodial employees, effective May 23, 2025 and May 21, 2025, respectively; and the retirement of Terri Girio, food service employee, effective June 6, 2025, were acknowledged by the board.
Several agreements and contracts with BlaST IU 17 for the 2025-26 school year were approved by the board, including a special education agreement, IDEA, DARTS Software, technology services and the Division of Educational Planning.
Affiliate agreements with Eastern University and its School of Nursing for the placement of student teachers, interns and practicum.
The next board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on July 9, 2025.