SCSD approves budget

BY TOM FONTANA
Correspondent

Susquehanna Community School District approved a budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year at the school board meeting on Wednesday night, June 17.

With expenditures set at $14,175.358, business manager Gary Kiernan reported that the budget includes millage at 47.03 in Susquehanna County, and 13.76 in Wayne County.

Superintendent Bronson Stone told the board that new playground equipment has been installed at the elementary school. At its May meeting, the board approved the purchase of the playground equipment from George Ely Associates Inc. of Carlisle, using a $15,000 donation from Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. The structure, called Rocky Hideout, is geared toward younger children starting at four years old.

Stone also informed the board that the district’s Safety Committee presented results that show the district has achieved a perfect two-year record of ‘preventable injuries’ from occurring.

Kevin Price, the district’s new maintenance director hired on June 1, was in attendance at his first board meeting. Price is a 1975 graduate of Susquehanna Community High School, and for the past 10 years has worked for the Blue Ridge School District.

“It’s great to be working at my alma mater in my hometown,” Price told the Independent.

Price had nothing to report “until I get my hands into things.” The board approved a Facilities Management Consultant Agreement with former maintenance director Donald Norris to provide “additional support” at a cost of $2,500 for the 2015-16 school year.

A contract was approved with Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Waterfront Learning Services, an internet-based school for students who choose to take classes at home on a computer. “Our students who use this service,” Stone said, “will still be able to receive a diploma from our school district.”
The district will purchase the Read 180 program at a cost of $61,000. “This is a research-based reading program that has proven to be very successful,” Stone told the board.

NEIU 19 will visit the district to fingerprint staff and faculty for two days at a cost to the district of $450. “It’s required by the state for our employees hired before 2012 to be fingerprinted again,” Stone explained.

The board has granted permission for the elementary school gym to be used by about 28 college students for an overnight stay on July 30. The students will be running across the country as part of a promotional event to raise money for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. The participants have requested the use of the school showers. There is no cost to the district, and the community has not been asked to provide any food or refreshments.

The board also accepted the resignation of high school technology teacher Michael Matis.