SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO An aerial view of Montgomery Area High School.

A proposed 2026-27 school year budget approved by the Montgomery Area School District Tuesday night included a 0.84 mil real estate tax increase.

The increase will bring the millage rate to 19.88%, District Business Manager and Board Secretary Grant Evangelisti said.

In other financial matters, the board approved quotes from Smiths Walnut Grove Services to construct an office wall, to install two softball dugout concrete pads and to replace a sewer line at the football field, at a cost of $5,500, $8,250 and $16,250, respectively; a quote from Barry Eck Contracting to replace handicap pads and concrete in the amount of $3,205; the Darts Software Agreement with Blast IU 17, in the amount of $8,035; the school-based contract with Kidswork Therapy Services, effective July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027; change orders for additional Area A Roof Crickets; installation of Bulkheads at lockers and additional Area D Roof Crickets, at a cost of $15,528.02, $11,458.26 and $8,490.46, respectively; the Educational Services Agreement with New Story Schools, effective Aug. 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027; a transportation bid from Murray Transportation Inc., effective July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2031; a proposal from Tyler Technologies for a student transportation system, at an annual cost of $6,315.00 for five years; and the appointment of Journey Bank, PLGIT, Harrisburg, PSDLAF and Northwest Bank as school depositories for the 2026-27 school year.

In staffing, the board approved a five-year contract naming David Snodgrass as Business Manager/Board Secretary, effective July 1, 2026; Jayar Rhoades as a student summer helper; appointed Roger McRae as Board Treasurer for the 2026-27 school year; and acknowledged the retirement of Kaydee Miller, as Administrative Assistant to the Business Manager, effective Sept. 30, 2026.

Superintendent Joseph Stoudt thanked Miller for over 44 years of service to the district.

“I remember coming here as a kid. My mom worked here, and she would bring me in in the summertime, and she would have me help me with doing elementary requisitions,” Stoutdt said.

“At lunchtime, we would always go over to the white house, and we would order subs or pizza from Hoffner’s, and sit there at the big conference table, and I thought I was big stuff,” he said.

“It’s so ironic that years later, I started teaching here, and then I was principal here, and now I’m Superintendent here, and work with Katie,” Stoudt continued.

“I have literally known her 35 years, at least, and seeing her retire, that one’s gonna hit kind of hard,” he said.

“You and Virginia (Hill), I feel like I’ve known you forever,” Stoudt said to Miller.

“She’s such a great person, wonderful to work with, and I wish you all the best in retirement,” he said.

The next board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16.