The Loyalsock Township School Board passed its 2026-27 proposed final budget at its recent May meeting.

While the budget continues to include a 0.65 mil tax increase, new state and federal data, along with updated local revenue figures brings the school district deficit to $450,000, down from its original estimate of $840,000.

In other financial matters, the board approved the transfer of $250,000 from the general fund unassigned fund balance to the capital projects assigned fund for future capital projects; the transfer of $250,000 from the general fund unassigned fund balance to the technology assigned fund for future technology projects; a bid from Cable Services Company Inc., of Williamsport, for the purchase and installation of fiber optic cable between the District Service Center and the Donald E. Schick Elementary School, at a cost of $30,734.40; the purchase of a 2026 F-250 4×4 truck and plow from Stuckey Ford, of Hollidaysburg, at a total cost of $72,830.43; and an athletic training services agreement with UPMC Susquehanna Health System Sports Medicine Center effective July 1 through June 30, 2029, at a cost of $43,000 for the 2026-27 school year, $49,000 for the 2027-28 school year and $53,000 for the 2028-29 school year.

In other actions, the board approved revisions to policies pertaining to the discipline of students

convicted or adjudicated of sexual assault; experiencing homelessness, foster care and other educational instability; and Title I Parent and Family Engagement; the list of 2026 graduating seniors; a Memorandum of Understanding with state police, effective July 1; the Regional Wide Area Network E-Rate Consortium and BlaST Intermediate Unit E-Rate Consortium Service Agreement from July 1 to June 30, 2029; and adopted a resolution supporting House Bill 41, relating to interscholastic athletic competition.

Board member David Steele briefly assumed the role of president for the purposes of signing his daughter Gianna’s high school diploma.

The board made several appointments, including the reappointment of Daniel Egly as school board secretary for the 2026-27 through 2029-30 school years. Egly was also named primary voting delegate to the Lycoming County Tax Collection Committee, effective July 1, 2026, along with Amber Whited and Jamie Sortman, as first and second alternates, respectively; JacLynne Lindsay as a 2026 voting delegate to the PSBA 2026 Delegate Assembly, as well as treasurer for the 2026-27 school year.

In staffing, the board approved Derek Hartman as a school resource/police officer; Caleb McCombie as a STEM teacher, effective Aug. 24, 2026; the following transfer of Michael Laudenslauger from full-time to part-time custodian, effective May 11, 2026; Terrence Samuel, as an intervention specialist, effective May 11, 2026, at an hourly rate of $17.50; Gianna Rupert as a seasonal custodial/maintenance employee for the summer of 2026, at an hourly rate of $14.50; Curt Houseknecht as a head cook supervisor, effective April 21, 2026, at an hourly rate of $23.00; Peter Ruhl, as girls’ soccer varsity head coach, with a stipend of $4,800.00; JV Coach – Adrian Temple, as girls’ soccer junior varsity coach, with a stipend of $2,500; Evan Laudenslager as cross country varsity head coach, with a stipend of $3,700.00; Kenneth Draper, as Junior High School cross country coach, with a stipend of $2,000; a number of athletic personnel returning for the 2026-27 sports season, with stipends ranging from $2,000 to $7,6000; acknowledged the resignations of Teri Key, Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction, effective Resignation; effective June 30, 2026, Katherine Pietraski, food service employee, effective May 8, 2026; Lisa Tranquillo, social studies teacher, effective Aug. 3, 2026; and the retirement of Christine Schaefer, food service employee, effective June 5, 2026.

The next school board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9.