Tentative budget would keep J-M tax rate steady
JEFFERSON — Jefferson-Morgan School Board approved a tentative budget Monday that would keep the property tax levy steady.
The $12,028,070 budget is about $300,000 less than the 2011-2012 budget.
“Most of the cuts are primarily savings from retirements,” said Director Lisa Mattish, board treasurer.
About 12 teachers and staff have retired from the district this year. About four of those positions will be replaced, she said. However, the board is still evaluating district staffing needs, and more positions could be filled.
If adopted, property taxes would remain at 23 mills. At that rate, a resident with property in the district would pay about $1,150 annually for a property assessed at $50,000.
In addition to the budget, board members unanimously agreed to approve a contract for the 2012-13 school year.
A full-time social worker and school psychologist from Intermediate Unit 1 will be hired at a cost of $30,500 for each position.
In other business, the board accepted the retirement of family consumer science teacher Marianne Marek, effective June 4.
“We’d like to thank Marianne Marek for all of her years of hard work that she dedicated to our children,” said board President Mark Pochron.
The board also appointed Cindy Jento on May 7 to replace Robert Greenlee, who previously served 13 years on the school board.
The board also agreed to reappoint the following coaches for the 2012-13 school year: Scott Rhodes, head wrestling coach; Mike Lesko, Barry Mylan and Ethan Virgili, assistant wrestling coaches; and Natalie Greenlee and Lisa Hillsman, co-head cheerleading coaches.
Board members decided to advertise for the position of assistant cheerleading coach.
In other business, the board:
n Announced that high school graduation will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, June 1, in the high school auditorium.
n Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten graduation will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the elementary school.
n Announced that Greene County Career and Technology Center graduation will be held at 6:30 p.m. today.
n Announced that student Nick Santoyo will represent Jeff-Morgan at states for track and field in Shippensburg. Santoyo will compete in the long jump event.
n Announced that the talent show, hosted by the National Honor Society in April, raised about $1,400 for gas cards for meals on wheels.