LEWISTOWN – The Mifflin County School District Board of Directors on Thursday passed a proposed 2018-19 General Fund Budget that will not raise taxes. The vote, however, was not taken without some heated discussion first.

An amended budget totaling $75,814,750 was passed by a 6-3 vote. Those voting in favor of the spending plan were Michelle Terry, Beth Laughlin, Noah Wise, Julie Maidens, Robert Hammond and John Knepp. Those voting against were Kristen Sharp, Mary Lou Sigler and Terry Styers.

The final budget figure was amended because of an earlier discussion, sometimes heated, that centered around the possibility of re-instating the $135 fee for student-athletes to participate in sports, dollars that were incorporated in an earlier budget number.

Some board members, particularly Wise and Knepp, expressed their concerns that some parents may not be able to afford the fee and that could exclude some kids that want to participate. Others, including Sharp, commented that band kids and other extracurricular activities include fees, some more than $400, and said to be fair, athletics should not be excluded from paying as well.

When asked if waiving the fee, which the board did a couple years ago, had much of an impact on participation, Superintendent James Estep said, “I checked with Tish (Athletic Director Maclay) and she said it really didn’t change the numbers.”

Following a lengthy discussion, Hammond then suggested he has a plan that he feels would be able to raise ample funds so the fee would not be necessary. “I can get it to happen if I get support from the people at this table and in the community,” Hammond, who did not elaborate on the plan, said.

Following Hammond’s recommendation, the board voted 6-3 to table the plan to reinstate the pay-to-play system.

When that occurred, Chief Financial Officer Melinda Kenepp recalculated the final budget figures to reflect the loss of the anticipated $72,000 pay-to-play would have generated, which the board then voted on.

Several board members expressed concern that the budget is relying too much on fund balance money and the hope that legislators in Harrisburg deliver the amount of money promised.

Styers, who voted against the budget, noted he has concerns about recent legislation that passed in committee that sets aside $500 million for personal savings accounts and vouchers that could be made available for parents in certain schools to send their children to private schools if they choose. He also said if the legislature doesn’t come up with the proposed funds, the district will have to dig deeper into fund balance dollars that are not going up without a revenue increase.

Sigler agreed, saying dipping into the fund balance can be dangerous. She compared Mifflin County School District with Philipsburg School District, which boasts a fund balance of $8 million, which accounts for roughly 25 percent of that district’s entire budget.

“Comparing that to $5.8 million in our budget of $75 million, that’s a big difference,” Sigler said. “If you want to pass a budget that we don’t have the money to pay for, you can deplete it (fund balance). Then what do we do?

“I can assure you I don’t like to tax people either. I know some personally who are really hurting. I would be more than happy if this legislature gave us the fair funding we deserve. We’ve been fighting for it for years. I have been fighting for it, Mr. Estep has been fighting for it. If they would come through I would be glad to give the taxpayers their money back. To me, fiscal responsibility is not hoping to get money you may not get.”

In other business Thursday, the board:

¯ Approved the following technology purchases, with proceeds to pay for them coming from the district’s capital reserve account: 696 desktop computers at a cost of $294,624 ($273,240 from capital reserve and $21,384 to be reimbursed by the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology) ; 352 laptop computers at a cost of $155,576.96; 11 carts at a cost of $9,614; and 330 ThinkPad laptops at a cost of $178,206.60.

¯ Appointed board member Sigler as voting delegate for the Pennsylvania School Board Association Delegate Assembly.

¯ Approved the 2018-19 Academy General Fund Budget in the amount of $3,952,891.

¯ Approved bidding refuse disposal for the next three years and authorized the director of buildings and grounds to award or reject bids the day of the bid opening.

¯ Added Beth Gwilym and Zachary Kuhns as bus drivers for J&D’s Inc.

¯ Approved waiving the fee for the use of Mifflin County Middle School for TIU Project Yes Middle School Camp June 18 through August 9.

¯ Approved the following teachers to work at the Summer Success Camp at Lewistown Elementary School: Collette Bender, Amy Remy, Matthew Yerger, Michelle Maxwell, Victoria Mattey, Sylvia Franklin, Tara Grimes, Janice Coldren, Tiffini Davidson, Corby Lancaster, Julie Yerger, Paula Treaster and Kelly Strausburg.

¯ Transferred Corby Lancaster from kindergarten teacher to third grade teacher at Strodes Mills Elementary starting next school year.

¯ Approved the following paraprofessionals for K-camp effective June 11: Lisa Damicantonio, Indian Valley Elementary; Barbara Earnest, East Derry Elementary; and Glenda Wilson, East Derry Elementary.

¯ Transferred Michelle Maxwell from kindergarten teacher at Lewistown Elementary to fifth grade teacher at Lewistown Intermediate School for next year.

¯ Transferred Makayla Pearce from third grade teacher at Strodes Mills Elementary to third grade teacher at Lewistown Elementary for next year.

¯ Transferred Kathleen Becker from elementary instrumental music teacher to general music teacher at the middle school for next year.

¯ Accepted the resignation of Stephen Hanna, school psychologist, due to relocation.

¯ Transferred Matthew Reed from third grade teacher at Indian Valley Elementary to fourth grade teacher Lewistown Intermediate School starting next school year.

¯ Hired Megan Herbster as a permanent fifth grade teacher at Lewistown Intermediate School for next school year at a salary of $41,952.

¯ Hired Chelsea Schwartz as a permanent kindergarten teacher at Lewistown Elementary School starting next school year at a salary of $44,302..

¯ Hired Kaylee Knouse as a permanent second grade teacher at Indian Valley Elementary starting next school year at a salary of $41,952.

¯ Hired Rachel Wozniak as a permanent elementary art teacher at Lewistown Intermediate and Indian Valley Elementary starting next school year at a salary of $43,552.

¯ Hired Haley Knepp as assistant cheerleading coach for fall and winter 2018-19.

¯ Approved 47 individuals to serve on the event staff for the 2018-19 school year.

¯ Accepted the resignation of Chelsea Zook, assistant field hockey coach, due to family reasons. She would like her status changed to volunteer coach.

¯ Accepted the resignation of Paige Johnson, assistant junior high field hockey coach, effective May 23.

¯ Approved David Monsell as a volunteer junior high football coach for 2018-19.

¯ Approved Keith Yoder as a volunteer soccer coach for 2018-19.

¯ Approved the transfer of Rachel Beahm from elementary art teacher at middle school art teacher for the 2018-19 school year.

¯ Accepted the resignation of Patricia Bodmer from a cafeteria position at Lewistown Elementary School effective April 24.

¯ Accepted the resignation of Jacklyn Snook, cafeteria substitute, effective May 25.

¯ Accepted the resignation of Ashley Criswell, cafeteria substitute, effective May 25.

¯ Hired Kevin Reigle as a permanent science teacher at the junior high school for 2018-19 at a salary of $41,952.

¯ Hired Benjamin Weber as a permanent social studies teacher at the junior high school for 2018-19 at a salary of $41,952.

¯ Approved the transfer of Kaby-Ann Speck from learning support teacher to autistic support teacher at the intermediate school.

¯ Approved the transfer of Michael Maclay from autistic support teacher to learning support teacher at the intermediate school.

¯ Hired Alison Lutz as a permanent speech and language therapist at Indian Valley Elementary at a salary of $45,109 for the 2018-19 school year.

¯ Accepted the resignation of Kevin McCardle, part-time custodian at East Derry Elementary, due to other employment.

¯ Approved the transfer of Aaron Snook from custodian at Lewistown Elementary to the high school, effective April 30.

¯ Added the following to the custodian substitute list for summer help: Amy Banks, Travy Bastress, Kaleena Beers, Kimberly Corson, Cindy Jasper, Kimerly Oburn, Laurie Romig, Regina Sitch, Susan Ritchey, Alicia Coulter, Cindy Cutshall, Sue Fluke, Carol Gantz, Zachary Majestic, Sherry Pecht, Brittany Ruble, and Phyllis Varner.

¯ Approved the following volunteer coaches for the 2018-19 season: Deion Curry, cross country; Whitney Swenson, cheerleading; Shawn Renninger, junior high football; Randall Knode, junior high football; and Brett Leister, girls soccer.

¯ Approved the following 2018-19 winter sports coaches: Roger Herto, head girls basketball; Scott Gantz, head indoor track and field; Gretchen Seyler, head swimming; James Kirby Martin, head wrestling; Tamara Sechler, head winter cheerleading; and Kevin Diven, head bowling.