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LEWISTOWN -- The Mifflin County School Board held a special voting meeting on Thursday and, by a 6-3 vote, moved that the 2023-2024 Proposed Final General Fund Budget be recommended for approval.
The $107,923,615 budget will go before the regular board voting meeting for final approval in June after sitting for 30 days in the county. The budget has no tax increase and must be passed by June 30.
The proposed sports stadium complex is factored into the budget, which is expected to cost $15 million and be financed by federal and state grants, community donations, reserve money in the current budget, and long-term borrowing.
The stadium project is in the budget because, even if the expansion project isn't passed, if it isn't budgeted for, then next year, the district can't spend a dollar of the money, including state and federal grant money.
"It's very awkward to do this budget right now. At the end of that year, we may not spend $107 million, but we have to budget it," Superintendent Vance Varner said. "There are so many uncertainties for Melinda (Kenepp, Chief Financial Officer), but we have to do it this way. That's why I'm glad she asked for help from the auditors because we don't want to misstep. If we misstep, we have to give all the money back."
Reflected in the proposed budget is around $105 million in revenue, with $108 million in expenses for a deficit of $3 million.
John Knepp, Mike Mowery, Mary Lou Sigler, Dianne Stewart, Terry Styers, and Noah Wise voted yes to moving the proposed budget for a June vote. Voting no were Mark Baker, Fred Nickel, and Don Wright.
"I will not support a budget where we are going to take on more debt, finance a project, and increase our financial investment from $4.5 up to $9 million," Baker said.
In the regular Committee of the Whole Meeting, the board took these actions:
• Recommend approval of minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held April 20, 2023.
• Recommend approval of minutes of the Special Voting Meeting held April 20, 2023.
• Recommend approval of minutes of the Regular Board meeting held April 27, 2023.
• Recommend approval of the following Financial items: Review of Treasurer Reports for month ended April 30, 2023, Review of listing of bills for payment, Review of Revenue and Expense Summaries, Real Estate and Per Capita Tax Collector Reports, Recommend approval to exonerate Kathy Whitsel, Tax Claim Director, from collecting the delinquent 2021 and 2022 real estate taxes on parcel 12 ,16-0113,001, 2022/2023 Budget Transfers.
• Recommend approval of the Cafeteria Financial Report for April 2023.
• Request authorization to pay Cafeteria Bills for April 2023.
• Recommend approval of the following summer transportation rates with an additional fuel adjustment flat rate of: Bus – $80/day, Van – $68/day. Summer 2023 Transportation Rates: Bus: $3.68/mile Minimum: $126.47; Mini Bus: $2.45/mile Minimum: $126.47; Van: $1.85/mile Minimum: $87.58.
• Recommend approval of a $.55/mile fuel adjustment for Activity Runs for buses while diesel fuel is at or above $3.00/gallon (pre-tax) for the 2023-2024 school year.
• Recommend approval of a fuel adjustment for bus contractors for 2023-2024 school year whereby district will pay amount in excess of per gallon price when fuel cost exceeds $3.00/gallon.
• Recommend that Melinda Kenepp be elected School Board Treasurer for an annual term effective July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024.
• Recommend approval of the following coaches for the fall 2023-24 school year: Hannah Bubb (Jr. High head softball), Selena Breneman (Jr. High assistant softball). Craig Weston (Jr. High volunteer softball), Terry Henry (Jr. High volunteer softball), Allyssa Schnell (Jr. High volunteer softball), Tamara Sechler (Jr. High assistant girls cross country), Isaac Hallock (Jr. High assistant boys cross country).
• Recommend approval of the following coaches for the winter 2023-24 school year: Aaron Gingrich (Head girls' basketball), Wade Curry (Head boys' basketball), J. Kirby Martin (Head wrestling), Jennifer Johnson (Head winter cheerleading), Kevin Diven (Head bowling), Gina Moore (Head bocce).
• Recommend approval of the following event staff for the 23-24 school year: Nikki Bailey, Nate Barnhart, Erica Bell, Richard Bender, Hannah Bubb, Doug Cramer, Mark Crosson, Bobby Douglas, Tyson Eckley, Gary Eichorn, Eric Ettinger, Randy Fluke, Jason Franklin, Glenn Franklin, Scott Gantz, James Garrett, Maryann Haines, Rob Haines, Ali Hartsock, Jennifer J. Hartzler, Jennifer L. Hartzler, Allan Hepner, Roger Herto, Sandy Herto, Steven Himes, Ray Hoppel, Craig Johnson, Kelli Johnson, Paige Johnson, Jodi Kibe, Sarah King, Maria Kratzer, Robert Lepley, Erik Liebegott, Isaac Maclay, Tammy Matthews, John McGonigle, McKynly Miller, Stephanie Moon, Gina Moore, Matt Moore, Connor Muir, Kristen Neavling, Kelly Parks, Nicole Patkalitsky, Timmy Pearce, Nathan Poche, Cassidy Reed, Deanna Russler, Gayle Schifano, Allyssa Schnell, Jane Schnell, Jerry Schnell, Tracy Shade, Trystan Snyder, Laura Stimely, Marc Terry, Paula Treaster, Crystal Weaver, Kaitlin Whisler, Anne Wilson, Hillary Worley, Marla Wright, Richard Yearick, Beka Yoder.
• Recommend approval of the 2023-2024 Athletic Program Regulations.
• Recommend approval for teachers hired for the start of the 2023-2024 school year to perform supplemental work during June, July, and August 2023, if needed.
• Recommend authorizing the following Central Office Administrators to sign contracts on behalf of the Mifflin County School District for July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024: Vance Varner, Superintendent, Thomas White, Director of Buildings and Grounds, Tish Maclay, Athletic Director, Cindi Marsh, Director of Student Services, Doug Cunningham, Director of Information Systems, Steven DeArment, Chief Academic Officer.
• Recommend approval of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with HACC for a term of three years from the date of signing.
• Recommend approval of the MOU with Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (Bloomsburg) for a term of three years from the date of signing.
• Recommend approval to submit the Mifflin County School District 2023-2024 Application for Flexible Instructional Days.
• Recommend approval of renewal of the food service management agreement with Metz Culinary Management for the period of July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024.
• Recommend authorization for the Director of Buildings and Grounds, upon review and within projected budget, to award or reject bids for the MCMS Flooring and SMES Fencing projects. Results of bid award will be conveyed to the Board following the award.
• Recommend approval of the 2023-2024 Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology General Fund Budget in the amount of $9,593,827, including construction costs for the expansion project of $5,695,725. The MCSD share is $3,406,289, of which the portion attributed to regular operating costs is $2,399, 640, a 1.98% increase over the current year's operating costs.