Susquehanna Community approves $17M school budget

The Susquehanna Community Board of School Directors adopted the 2019-20 budget of $17,268,353 at the Wednesday, June 19 meeting.

District millage was set at 51.48 mills in Susquehanna County; and 15.19 mills in Wayne County.

Business Director Gary Kiernan said the district was able to reduce the amount of its fund balance planned to be used in the budget by $25,000, but noted significant increases for charter school, as well as tuition for students to attend SCCTC in the coming year.

The board also approved the district’s next three-year Comprehensive Plan that will go into effect July 1, 2020.

Superintendent Bronson Stone said the plan was the culmination of a full year of work by the committee, and was submitted to the state following the meeting.

Stone also said the district will be looking to put together an energy savings package for the district which the board will have a chance to look at their August meeting.

Several pieces of equipment are past their life expectancy, Stone said. The potential project is expected to cost over $2 million, but the superintendent maintained the updates were absolutely necessary.

Stone also offered up his appreciation to retiring curriculum director Mark Gerchman, saying he was a reason the “district functions so well.”

“He was a consensus builder,” Stone said, noting the many ways Gerchman worked to continuously improve the curriculum in the district. “We all are going to miss him,” Stone said.

The board also voted to approve Stone’s superintendent contract for July 1 through June 30, 2024.

The district is offering up some equipment for sale, details are available on the district website.

A dual enrollment agreement with Lackawanna College was approved for the 2019-20 school year.

Miller Brothers Earth Moving will perform drainage work on the softball field in July. Work on the baseball field is underway.

The district is also looking to fill substitute vacancies for the start of the coming school year.