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Tax increase approved by school board

LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County School Board on Thursday adopted its 2019-2020 general fund budget in the amount of $82,220,495.

The spending plan includes a 3.2 percent real estate tax increase, which raises the millage rate from 33.4511 mills to 34.5215 mills. It passed in a 6:3 vote, with John Knepp, Michelle Terry and Noah Wise opposing. Robert Hammond, Beth Laughlin, Julie Maidens, Kristen Sharp, Mary Lou Sigler and Terry Styers voted to approve the plan.

Also during the meeting, the board levied a tax of $5 for each resident or inhabitant over the age of 18, a resident tax of $5, a $10 flat rate local services tax, a 1 percent real estate transfer tax and a 1.35 percent earned income tax.

All taxes are effective July 1.

The board also approved:

¯Tonya M. Kepner as principal at East Derry Elementary School/Indian Valley Elementary Center at a salary of $90,000.

¯Hiring of Jenna L. Carlson, social studies teacher at Mifflin County Junior High School, at a salary of $43,102; Erin M. McLaughlin, biology teacher at Mifflin County High School, $43,102; Kerry F. Harper, district-wide licensed social worker, $52,080; Michaela N. Marini, social studies teacher at MCJHS, $43,102; Michelle L. Bower, life skills teacher at Lewistown Intermediate School, $48,973; Phillip A. Rossi, learning support teacher at LIS, $44,552; Abigail E. Allison, school nurse at LIS, $43,909; Connor J. Muir, emotional support at MCJHS, $43,909; and Danielle Atkinson, English teacher at MCHS, $43,102. All are effective at the start of the year.

¯Hiring of Brenna N. Shilling as a long-term substitute first grade teacher at Lewistown Elementary School for the coming year or less, at a prorated salary of $43,103, effective Aug. 20.

¯Transfer of Nathan C. Barnhart from social studies teacher at MCJHS to social studies teacher at MCHS, effective at the start of the 2019-2020 school year; Robin J. French, social studies teacher at MCJHS to third grade teacher at LES, effective at the start of the school year; and Billie Jo Heverly, from life skills support teacher at LIS to MCHS, effective at the start of the school year.

¯Resignations of Benjamin M. Trew, biology/environmental science teacher at MCHS, due to relocation, effective June 13; Brent A. Stoltzfus, social studies teacher at MCHS, due to other employment, effective June 18; Nurudeen B. Kaffo, math teacher at MCJHS, effective Aug. 1; Paul R. Leach, learning support teacher at LIS, due to other employment, effective June 24; Rachel J. Boyd, school nurse at Lewistown Intermediate School/Strodes Mills Elementary School, due to other employment, effective June 18; and Melanie D. Hill, food service supervisor, effective Aug. 16.

¯Retirement of Dennis D. McClure, custodian at MCJHS, effective July 31.

¯Connor J. Muir, teacher for extended school year for the 2018-2019 school year.

¯Lanette M. Potutschnig and Abigail E. Allison, nurses for the extended school year.

¯Paraprofessionals Tanja G. Fike, EDES, and Colleen J. Kratzer, IVEC, for this summer’s Kindergarten Camp.

¯Paraprofessional transfers, effective June 6, including Lyndsay M. Clark, from full-time at EDES to part-time at LIS; Stacey L. Wertz-Mann, full-time at Mifflin County Middle School to part-time at LIS; Melinda R. Parson, full-time to part-time at MCJHS; and Jeannine L. Leister, part-time 4 hours to 4.5 hours at MCJHS.

¯Furlough of the following paraprofessionals: Melissa L. Basom, Jennifer L. Brubaker, Heidi L. Fought, Cheryl L. Himes, Adrienne E. Witters, Autumn K. Dressler, Elizabeth A. Pent, Angelika A. Rupert, Maralee G. Seeley, Teresa L. Williams and Kelly L. Scott.

¯Vance S. Varner to carry over no more than 10 unused vacation days from the past school year to the coming school year.

¯Hiring of Lucas A. Goss as a full-time custodian at LES, effective pending completion of pre-employment paperwork; Samuel E. Yetter, as full-time custodian at MCHS, effective pending paperwork; and transfer of Clay M. Ruble, 2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. custodian at LES to 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. custodian at LES, effective June 3.

¯One-day suspension without pay for one employee and 15-day suspension without pay for one employee.

¯2019 Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion Resolution.

¯Appointment of Norma J. O’Brien as district-wide suicide prevention coordinator for the coming school year at an annual stipend of $1,500.

¯Stipend of $750 for Michelle R. Siruc, homeless liaison, for the coming school year. This stipend is provided by Title I funds.

¯Stipends for Title I Parent Involvement Coordinators for the coming school year, including Sylvia L. Franklin, SMES, $750; Laura J. Faro and Kali D. Harper, LES, $750; Tyler C. Fink and Jo E. Shafranich, IVEC, $750; Anita J. Igram, EDES, $750; and Ruth A. Allison, non-public, $750.

¯Kylie J. Muir, life skills support teacher, LIS, at a salary of $43,909; Jenny S. Fortson, autistic support teacher, SMES, salary of $45,416; Kali D. Harper, learning support teacher, LES, salary of $43,909; Heidi L. Stewart, learning support teacher, MCHS, salary of $45,416; Heidi L. Stewart, learning support teacher, MCHS, salary of $45,416; Amber M. Oliver, ESL teacher, LES, salary of $52,180; and Brittney R. Grabill, school nurse, MCHS, salary of $45,359. All effective at the start of the school year, pending receipt of emergency permit.

¯Authorization of solicitors to execute stipulations to settle in four tax appeals.

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