Mountain View proposes $21.6M budget

BY PAT FARNELLI

Correspondent

The Mountain View school board discussed its proposed 2018-19 budget Monday and welcomed new Director of Special Services Stephanie Anuszewski to the district.

Anuszewski said that faculty and administration have been wonderful and that the district “looks like it is in very good shape.”

“I’ve read all of the IEPs, and they are pristine,” she said.

Business director Thomas Witiak gave a presentation on the proposed budget and then answered questions from board members. The 2018-19 proposed budget was approved by the board in the amount of $21,618,463.24.

Witiak said that he has entered all of the administrator budgets that have already been presented at board meetings, as well as the estimated salaries. He said the projected actual salary numbers would be available for the next board meeting.

Board members Decker and Monica Miller raised questions about gas royalty revenue. Decker said he feels that the revenue should be kept in a separate account and used for what the kids want and need, rather than used to meet the budget costs.

Witiak said that he would keep the monies in the general fund, but add gas source codes to the royalty funds.

Last year, the budget was $21.7 million and was adjusted to $21.5 million.

This year’s budget is for $22 million, and the district is proposing raising taxes to the state set index at 41.4780 mills, an increase of 1.1 mills from last year’s budget.

The district has an Act 1 allowable increase of 2.8, the business director told the board.

Superintendent Karen Voigt noted that there are three weeks before the next meeting (Monday, June 11), and the budget will not be adopted until the meeting after that one. The next fiscal year begins on July 1.

The elementary school renovations and construction will begin when the school year ends, so the second June meeting will not be held in the elementary school. A location will be announced.

Board member Christine Plonski-Sezer announced that the String Program will be going into its third year next year. She said that while she has personally funded the program, including the beginning string teacher and certificate of insurance, she cannot afford to pay for an intermediate string teacher as well. She proposed busing the intermediate string students to the Marywood University campus so that they can work with a string program teacher there on Thursdays.

Voigt noted that the district has been actively looking for grant opportunities, and has received a number of grants for career wellness, school climate, and safety.

The board approved hiring Allison Bluhf as elementary school nurse.

Policy #915 School Related Booster Organizations was approved with some changes and deletions. The policy states that any persons wishing to form a school-related booster organization must submit to the superintendent a letter seeking recognition by the school district. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the board will vote on whether to recognize the organization. Once recognized, the organization shall conduct its activities in a manner consistent with the policies, mission and objectives of the school.

Deleted were two passages: one which would give the school board, superintendent, and building principal the authority to void or cancel any and all fundraising activities or purchases that are not necessary, appropriate, or in the best interest of the district and its students; and another which says the superintendent is authorized to establish criteria for recondition and other compliance requirements for booster organizations.

The board held a second reading for a Transportation policy. Several paragraphs were added to the qualifications for school bus drivers and contractors, which include background checks, a physical examination, an approved operator’s certificate, and meet several requirements of deportment, including maturity, alertness, patience, dependability, and courtesy. The driver must be above reproach in personal habits and character, and abstain from the use of intoxicating beverages, smoking, and using profanity or indecent language.

Student Government liason Matt Dougherty introduced next year’s liason Sidney Barhite.

Ben Galvin made a proposal for his Eagle Scout project, which included renovating an existing nature trail, improving benches, planting and mulching flower gardens, and making signs about ticks and Lyme disease. He will be including yarrow in his plantings, as it repels insects.

President Michael Barhite made a motion for Ben Galvin and Boy Scout Troop

98 and volunteers to upgrade the nature trail as an Eagle project.