Jun. 23—NANTICOKE — The Greater Nanticoke Area School Board approved a final budget at Thursday's monthly meeting that keeps property taxes at this year's rate and projects an increase in the district fund balance. The budget projects spending at $39.7 million and income at $40.8 million. Business Consultant Tom Melone said if those numbers hold, the fund balance is expected to climb from $5.1 million the end of this month to $6.2 million by the end of June, 2024.

Both Superintendent Ron Grevera and Board President Tony Prushinski repeated one of Prushinski's favorite mantras: "Elections have consequences," suggesting the district — and most public school districts — would have been in much worse financial shape if Josh Shapiro had not won the election as governor. Shapiro has followed his predecessor Tom Wolf in supporting increased state funding for public schools.

Grevera also credited the overall healthy budget with the district's ability to negotiate a three year contract with about 100 unionized support staff workers that increases pay to retain employees. The new contract boosts starting salary for new hires by $3 and hour, from $9.90 an hour. Current employees will see an average increase of $1.25 per hour the first year, and 75 cents per hour each of the next two years. The contract runs through June, 2026. The board also approved two Memoranda Of Understanding (MOU) with the teacher union. One involves appointing a part-time speech therapist. The other sets up special sick leave/sick days for the 2023-24 school year.

Continuing efforts to improve security, the board agreed to advertise for two additional School Police/Resource Officers, hired through private employment contracts, bumping the total from three to five. Existing contracts with three officers were renewed: Brian Stashak and Chris Wegrzynowicz at $51,000 each, and Ray Whitaker at $61,000. And a new Garrett walk-thru metal detector was approved from Firing Line Inc. for $4,252. Grevera said it is a portable detector that will be used at the Education and Elementary centers.

In sports, the board accepted the quote for equipment at the multi-purpose sports stadium from Sportsmens at a total cost of $45,477, and agreed to sanction a new co-ed bowling club team for the 2023-24 school year. The new sports equipment will be suitable for artificial turf being installed this summer, Grevera said, and includes nets, pylons and similar removable items.

The board also:

—Approved the purchase of Learnics for the coming school year for grades 3-12 at a cost of $1,830. Learnics provides digital tools to help teachers determine how much time students spend researching online for assignments.

—Approved quotes for insurance coverage from Joyce Insurance, $159,485 for Premium Coverage and $84,154 for workers compensation coverage.

—Approved summer hours for high school guidance counselors Bill Hischak and Sara Kneal, and cyber school coordinator Michele Wisniewski, each not to exceed 50 hours.

—Appointed Scott Dennis as paraprofessional for the Extended School Year (ESY) program from July 5 through Aug. 3.

—Accepted the resignations of instructional aide Beth Borowski and physical education teacher Alicia Kaiser.

—Increased the salary of parent educator Sarah Toback in the amount of $0.88 per hour, and the salary of Family Center Director Beth Kratz in the amount of $2,528. Both are funded through grants. Toback's hours were also increased to 29 hours per week, while parent educator Wendy Skoniecki's hours were reduced to 20 hours per week.

—Appointed Jennifer Olzinski, Amanda Lipowski and Christopher McGavin as teachers for the K-5 summer skills math and reading camp, all funded through federal grants.

—Appointed Beth Maney as head cheer coach.

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Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish