Lake-Lehman School Board approves final budget with no tax increase

Mark Guydish, The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
·4 min read

Jun. 19—LEHMAN TWP. — At Monday's regular monthly meeting, the Lake-Lehman School Board approved a final budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year that projects income of $33.28 million and expenditures at $34.54 million. The budget has no increase in property tax millage, but as often happens the requirement to re-balance tax rates between properties in Luzerne and Wyoming counties, there is a minor adjustment upward for Wyoming County residents.

The rate for Luzerne County taxpayers remains at 11.9167 mills while the rate in Wyoming County adjusts to 62.195. A mill is a $1 tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. Business consultant Joseph Caputo told the district the difference between income and spending in the budget plan should be covered by an "add back" by the end of the year from the money budgeted for health care.

Caputo said the budget assumes "maximum liability" for health care coverage, but that traditionally the district does much better than that, spending less than the maximum, with the savings being added back into the general fund. After the meeting Caputo said the district has a healthy fund balance of about $6 million. During the meeting he also suggested the board consider a 2.5% tax increase to fund planned repairs and improvements, but the board opted for the budget with no increase.

The board also:

—Joined a growing trend among local school districts as well as institutions of higher learning by agreeing to establish an E-sports game program.

—Accepted the retirement of math teacher Patricia Harrison and library aide Donna Grey.

—Appointed Jeffrey Shook as athletic director at $10,719, Cheryl Kulikowski as band director and concert band director at $6,640 and $1,944 respectively, and Gina Major-Ackerman as senior play adviser and spring musical secondary at $1,564 and $3,482 respectively.

—Appointed as assistant coaches Earl Weidner for varsity golf at $1,216; Paul Callahan for varsity girls soccer at $2,694; Paul Leahy for junior high girls soccer at $2,694; Jared Carlo, Curtis Lloyd and Michael Ayala for varsity boys basketball at $4,933 each; and Janene Kasarda and Kyle Purdy for junior high girls basketball at $3,304 each.

—Appointed Joseph DeMace for band and indoor percussion at $2,422 and $2,695 respectively, and Brian Bacon for indoor color guard at $2,695.

—Rescinded the May appointment of Michelle Nichols as part-time custodian, and rescinded the appointment of Jacob Prest for assistant football coach

—Transferred Diane Nevel to part-time custodian for five hours a day and 260 days per year, and adjusted the number of work days to 206 for Patricia Hackling and Tina Judge.

—Appointed Andrew Molitoris, Photography by Andy, as district photographer for the coming school year.

—Approved the Hudl Athletic Department package proposal from Agile Sports Technologies Inc., doing business as Hudl of Lincoln, Neb., at a three year cost of $43,500.

—Renewed membership with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association for $15,049, including policy maintenance and administrative regulation programs.

—Approved the West Side Career and Technical Center Final Operating budget for 2023-24 in the amount of $7.29 million. The CTC is run jointly by five member school districts, and the school boards of each district must annually approve the CTC budget.

—Approved the purchase of Go Math 2023 as the math program for kindergarten through sixth grade, at a total cost of $206,950 for a six-year license agreement.

—Authorized the issuing of a Request For Proposals (RFP) for replacement of the canopy coverings and sidewalk entrances at Lehman-Jackson Elementary School.

—Approved the issuing of an RFP for replacement of spectator seating and flooring in the high school auditorium, including resurfacing/painting the stage and replacing the curtains.

—Approved an agreement with PLD Associates, Inc. of Wilkes-Barre for heating/ventilation/air-conditioning maintenance and service for 2023-24 at a cost of $40,900.

—Renewed an agreement with Bayada Home Health Care, Inc., to provide substitute school nurse services through June, 2024 at an hourly rate of $52.

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