Lake-Lehman School Board passes proposed budget
May 16—LEHMAN TWP. — With three members absent, the Lake-Lehman School Board approved a proposed final budget at Monday's regular monthly meeting with no property tax increase, though thanks to the annual re-balancing of taxes between the two counties, Luzerne County residents will see a slight increase while Wyoming County residents will see a slight decrease.
The budget sets total spending at just under $34.1 million and revenues at a bit more than $33.5 million. It uses an expected fund balance of $5.4 million for this year to cover the shortfall. The property tax rate for Luzerne County residents is set at 11.9167 mills compared to 11.9138 this year, while the new rate in Wyoming County would be 61.9694, down from 62.9964. A mill is a $1 tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
The budget passed Monday is not final. By state law, a school board must pass a proposed budget by the end of May and a final budget by the end of June. Business Manager Tom Melone said several things could change that might eliminate the shortfall or increase the final fund balance available at the end of June.
The budget does not include any increase in state education funding. If Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed budget were to pass intact — unlikely with Republicans controlling both houses of the state legislature — the district would get an increase of $688,990 in state basic and special education funding, enough to wipe out the budget shortfall with money to spare.
Melone also said the district is doing very well this year in insurance costs through it's self-insured program and that if the trend holds up through May and June the numbers could be positive, meaning the district will have spent less than budgeted for this year.
The board also:
—Accepted the retirements of elementary teacher Frances Sesson, elementary special education teacher Lizabeth Trescher and technology assistant Jayme Spencer.
—Accepted the resignations of secretary Dolores Pall, food service worker Cathy Davies and custodian Brian Straub.
—Authorized advertising for an elementary teacher, elementary special education teacher, full-time technology assistant, full-time secretary, part-time food service worker and part-time custodian.
—Appointed Nancy Edkins as substitute physical fitness director.
—Appointed head coaches/extra-curricular advisors Crystal Savage for cheerleading at $4,018, Adam Dizbon for boys basketball at $8,021, Charles Lavan for girls basketball at $8,021, Joseph Konigus III for wrestling at $8,021 and Christopher Kuhar for swimming at $4,018.
—Appointed assistant coaches/extra-curricular advisors Abria Marcincavage for varsity chearleading and Deanna Dragon for junior high cheerleading at $1,702 each.
—Appointed football coaching staff Gerald Gilsky for head coach at $7,566, Richard Colorusso and Damian Michaels for assistant varsity at $4,144 each, Frank Kutz for assistant varsity at $3,144, Corey Brenner for assistant varsity at $1,000, Michael Mully for head freshman coach at $3,288 and Jacob Prest for head seventh and eight grade coach at $2,144.
—Approved bus/van drivers Morgan Headman for contractor Back Mountain Transit and Lynn Headman for contractor Keystone Valley.
—Appointed Ronann Price as full-time food service worker for 6.5 hours per day, 186 days per year at an hourly rate of $15.40.
Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish
