Southeastern Greene School Board passes budget
MAPLETOWN — Southeastern Greene School District approved a $10.3 million budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year.
Pat Sweeney, business manager, said while the general fund budget is virtually identical to the 2012-13 fiscal year budget, the district will be allocating an additional $300,000 due to an increase in retirement contributions.
Sweeney said Monday that the real estate discount rate of 7.5 percent remains the same for homeowners who pay their property taxes in full between July 1 and Sept. 30.
The board approved homestead and farmstead real estate tax reductions — about $294 — for homeowners. Sweeney said $374,291 from state gambling revenues will make up the difference.
The board approved the $2.3 million operating budget for the Greene County Career and Technology Center.
In other matters, the board opposed a request from Geokinetics USA., Inc., to lease land at Mapletown Jr/Sr. High School to conduct seismic surveys for a one-time payment of $109. The company wanted to drill holes needed for seismic testing across campus for three to four months this fall.
Testing sends sound waves into the ground so as to map out the natural gas potential. Meter readers monitor the vibrations to ensure there is no damage to utilities and structures. Drilling involves detonating low-grade explosives 30 feet underground in places 300 feet or more from structures or affected places such as water wells or springs used as a water source for homes or businesses.
In other business, the board approved a request from Alumni Football USA to use the high school stadium, press box and locker rooms for an alumni football game on July 19.
The board briefly discussed whether to let the group use the school’s equipment for training but decided it would be best not to allow that because it could potentially harm the equipment or open the possibility of liability issues.
In other news, the board recognized retirees who have devoted many years of service to the district. Those retirees are: Christopher Bates, Rosemary Sarapa, Marian Franks, Christine Spiker, Stephanie Mallory and Patricia Williamson.
Superintendent William Henderson praised the group’s dedication and lamented how the district will be losing decades of experience.