WB Area Board approves property tax settlement with Mohegan Pennsylvania

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

Nov. 17—PLAINS TWP. — At Thursday's monthly meeting the Wilkes-Barre Ara School Board agreed to a settlement in a lengthy court battle about the assessed value of the Mohegan Pennsylvania properties on State Route 315 in Plains Township. The assessed value will rise from $152.5 million to $157 million moving forward.

The district agreed to drop appeals seeking changes dating back to 2019. The properties are five parcels that include the casino, hotel and race track. As part of the agreement, no party will appeal the $157 million assessment for five years beginning next year, Solicitor Ray Wendolowski said.

The settlement includes a "Payment In Lieu of Taxes" (PILOT) agreement totaling $625,000 to the district. The first payment of $325,000 will be made within 60 days of court approval of the settlement, and a second payment of $300,000 will be paid within one year.

While the increase in assessed values applies to Luzerne County and Plains Township real estate taxes, the PILOT will only go to the school district.

Business Manager Tom Telesz said Mohegan Pennsylvania currently pays about $2.8 million in property taxes annually, and that at the current millage the increase will be an additional $82,407.

Other business

In other action, the board approved an agreement with the teachers union for "Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) Coordinator stipends of $1,000 per coordinator per year in middle school grades and $1,500 in high school grades. Superintendent Brian Costello said the stipends are grant-funded and would end if the funding money ends.

Costello explained that district has a program that rewards students for positive behavior with digital "Pack Cash," which can be used to participate in events set up for those students after school. The PBIS coordinators are teachers who work during those events.

The board also:

—Amended the agreement with Pediatria Healthcare, LLC, doing business as AVEANNA Healthcare, to add several health care-related entities to the existing contract.

—Approved a $10,000 contribution to the Osterhout Free Library for the 2023-24 school year.

—Approved a software service agreement with Berkshire Systems Group, Inc., of Reading, for camera systems in Dodson, Flood, GAR, Heights, Kistler and Solomon schools at a cost of $8,775.

—Accepted the resignations of Melinda Gillow and Michele Burden Wood.

—Appointed Destiny Cabreja and Carin Smurl as full-time paraprofessionals at 32.5 hours per week.

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