Mahanoy Area discusses new STEM lab, state budget, charter school costs

Mar. 24—MAHANOY CITY — Preparations are underway for the formal opening of the STEM lab at Mahanoy Area Junior/Senior High School.

At Thursday's school board meeting, Mahanoy Area Superintendent Joie L. Green recognized STEM & technology education teacher Suzanne Mayberry for her efforts to launch the lab, which will be dedicated to the late state Sen. James J. Rhoades.

The lab, which was formerly the Senator James J. Rhoades Library, has been repurposed as a state-of-the-art facility with technological tools, as well as opportunities to learn skills such as 3D printing, laser-engraving, cutting and soldering.

A rededication ceremony and open house will be held at 5:30 p.m. April 20 at the STEM lab.

Rhoades, a longtime resident of Mahanoy City, worked for Mahanoy Area School District as a teacher, football coach and principal before being elected to the state House of Representatives and, later, the state Senate.

"Senator Rhoades was such an important part of the community," Mayberry said. "We wanted to make sure he did not get lost in the changeover."

She said the STEM lab gives students an opportunity to build skills they would not learn elsewhere, especially if they do not attend a vo-tech school.

Mayberry, who is very "passionate" about manufacturing and technology jobs in the area, said that such skills are important, given the shortage of workers across the country.

The high school offers several STEM classes, including a STEM lab elective for juniors and seniors.

She said the lab, which offers a "different," hands-on approach to learning, also gives students a chance to excel in classes that reward curiosity, creativity and problem-solving skills.

State budget

Also at Thursday's meeting, Business Administrator John J. "Jack" Hurst discussed the impact of Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget on the school district.

In his budget, delivered to the Legislature on March 7, Shapiro proposed an increase of $567 million — or roughly 7% more — for day-to-day school operations, including about $100 million more each for special education; mental health counselors; anti-violence grants; and removing environmental hazards in school buildings.

Hurst said the base figure of $567 million will likely stand in the final budget, although the additional funding might be apportioned differently.

Given those figures, he said, Mahanoy Area is due to receive $344,000 for the upcoming school year, down from $1.8 million last year.

Hurst also noted that, unlike the past two years, this year's budget does not include any funding for Level Up, an equity supplement to the state's 100 most underfunded school districts, which includes Mahanoy Area. Last year's state budget included a $300 million increase for the program.

"The thought is that this will be a negotiating tool for the Legislature, because there are many in the Legislature that want that Level Up funding," Hurst said.

Last year's Level Up funding brought an additional $552,000 to the school district, while it received $254,000 from the year prior, he said.

"Hopefully, in the end, Level Up will be there and, because of that, will drive us higher than the proposed $344,000 that is in the current budget for us," Hurst said. "So we'll have to see how that plays out."

Hurst also spoke of the district's enrollment of charter school students.

Mahanoy Area currently has about 95 students enrolled in charter schools, a record high.

"That is unprecedented for us," he said. "We normally are in the 65, 66 (student) range."

Hurst had reported at last month's meeting that the enrollment could cause concerns for funding for the district.

He said the district has met with state reps. Dane Watro, R-116, Kline Twp., Tim Twardzik, R-123, Butler Twp., Jamie Barton, R-124, East Brunswick Twp., and state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Twp., to discuss ways to relieve the costs.

"They are well aware of our concerns with that, and hopefully, they will be able to push something through this year to give us some relief for charter school costs," Hurst said.

Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085