Apr 19, 2011 By Carla Destefano 4 min read

?Middle school extracurricular programs in the Uniontown Area School District could be on the chopping block as school officials begin to plan for the governor’s proposed drastic cuts in state education funding.

Dr. Charles Machesky, district superintendent, told taxpayers and parents at the regular meeting Monday that rumors regarding cuts to high school sports and the band are false.

“We have to make a list of recommendations to the board. There has never been any discussion of the elimination of any high school sports or band,” he said. “There has been recommendations of some elimination of positions and wrestling is on the table because of the number of students involved.”

Machesky said while no discussions have been made by the board yet on any cuts, the list of recommended cuts does include items such as all seventh- and eighth-grade sports with the exception of boys and girls basketball.

“I understand the concern and anger. I understand your feelings as students, parents and taxpayers,” he said. “We are balancing potential program cuts to ensure this district can continue to provide quality education in the future.”

Machesky said no academic program cuts have been considered and that the public will be informed of meetings that are scheduled to discuss any potential cuts.

Prior to the meeting, concerned parents, teachers, students and taxpayers gathered outside Ben Franklin School in a “Save Our Schools” rally. The event, according to those who attended, was to bring awareness to several issues currently affecting the school district, including the ongoing teacher negotiations, taxation and possible program cuts.

Rebecca Gartley, an art teacher at the high school, attended the rally holding a sign that read “The Arts Leave No Child Behind.”

Gartley said she wanted to stress the importance of maintaining a healthy art program within the district and statewide.

“We heard there were going to be cuts, and I assume those are going to be in the arts. For a lot of kids, the arts provide a reason to even want to come to school in the first place,” she said. “Art is something that enhances intelligence and helps students perform better in all areas. I think it’s important that we are here and show that support.”

Resident Tammy Boyle attended the rally and the meeting to question directors about spending.

“They promised they were going to be the voice of the people, but they have closed their ears to what the people are saying,” she said.

During the meeting, the board failed to pass a motion made by Director Bill Gerke to keep taxes for 2011-12 at the same rate as the 2010-11 millage. In a 4-4 vote, Directors Ken Meadows, Paul Bortz, Vincent Winfrey and Bill Rittenhouse opposed the motion, while Gerke and Directors Philip Holt, Terry Dawson and Lloyd Williams voted in favor.

“I’d like to ask my fellow board members how they plan to move ahead without raising taxes,” Bortz said, followed by an eruption of applause from taxpayers. “We should not sacrifice our students and their future. We all must sacrifice.”

In teacher contract negotiation matters, the board passed a motion to authorize the superintendent and the business manager to negotiate with the Uniontown Area Education Association and potentially present an offer for consideration for the entire board at the May 9 work session.

In other business, the board approved the recommendation by Machesky that any employee seeking retirement under the previously approved incentives must submit a letter of resignation for retirement to the superintendent’s office by 4?p.m. May 6.

The board also:

n Approved the relocation of the May board meeting to the newly renovated high school auditorium.

n Approved the cafeteria meal prices for the 2011-12 school year setting student breakfast at 90 cents, adult breakfast at $1.35, elementary student lunch at $1.40, secondary student lunch at $1.65 and adult lunch at $2.55.

n Approved the final reading of the school police policy.

n Approved the use of school property for 30 parking spaces for attendees of Mount Olive Baptist Church contingent upon the proper insurance documents.