The Special Meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District of which all members were duly notified and of which due public notice was given as required by Act 84 of 1986, was held on Tuesday evening, May 13, 2003, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of Directors’ Room, District Service Center, 201 West Third Street, Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The President, David B. Stone, Jr., called the meeting to order with the following members:
PRESENT: Karen V. Harris, Susan A. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Markle, Jay B. Shultz,
David B. Stone, Jr., Dale L. Vollman, Lois T. Williams, Thomas A. Zimmerman.
ABSENT: James E. Temple
BUDGET DELIBERATIONS
TENTATIVE BUDGET
Mr. Peterson reviewed the tentative budget summary report. This summary included a ½ mill increase to real estate taxes. It also included a reduction of $50,000 to the special education budget and an increase of $12,000 to the professional development budget.
Motion made by Mr. Vollman, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to decrease the tax increase from ½ mill to ¼ mill.
This motion was defeated by a 4-4 vote.
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Mahaffey to decrease the tax increase from ½ mill to .35 mills.
This motion passed 5-3.
3.1* Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Mahaffey, to adopt the following resolution relative to a proposed budget for the 2003-2004 fiscal year:
RESOLVED: That in accordance with the School Laws of Pennsylvania, 1949 as amended, Section 687, the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District announces a proposed general fund budget in the amount of funds which will be required by the Williamsport Area School District for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2003, and
RESOLVED FURTHER: That a meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District is scheduled to be held at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, 2003, for the purpose of adopting the general fund budget and such other general business as may be brought before the Board, and
RESOLVED FURTHER: That the Secretary be and is hereby authorized and directed to provide for special notice in a local newspaper that the proposed budget is available for inspection at the Office of the Board Secretary of the Williamsport Area School District, 201 West Third Street, Williamsport, Pennsylvania for all who may be interested:
3.1* Adopt the following resolution relative to a proposed budget for the 2003-2004 cont’d:
The following is a summary of the proposed General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2003:
ESTIMATED BEGINNING FUND BALANCE
AVAILABLE FOR APPROPRIATION 06/30/03 $ 7,820,267
ESTIMATED REVENUE (Restricted & Unrestricted) 59,288,600
TOTAL ESTIMATED FUND BALANCES AND REVENUES
AVAILABLE FOR APPROPRIATION 67,108,867
ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES AND OTHER
FINANCING USES (Restricted & Unrestricted) 60,281,705
ESTIMATED ENDING UNRESERVED FUND BALANCE 06/30/04 6,827,162
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS AND ENDING FUND BALANCE 67,108,867
Although the Tax levy will not be made until the budget is adopted on June 17, 2003, the proposed budget anticipates the following taxes:
03/04
Real Property (17.35 mills 02/03) 17.70
Act 511 Taxes
Earned Income 1½ %
Real Estate Transfer ½ of 1%
The motion carried 7-1 with Mr. Vollman voting no.
ELEMENTARY CHOICE AND CLASS SIZE
Dr. Lowery reviewed the results of the choice process, the elementary principal’s class size and class alignment recommendations as follows:
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Williams, to approve the class size and grade alignment recommendation. The Board indicated that the class size limit would be a goal and not an absolute limit.
The motion passed 8-0.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Mrs. Williams thanked everyone for a very successful Diversity Day Program. She indicated that there was a tremendous amount of support from our community.
Mrs. Mahaffey reported that Eric Gee demonstrated our new video streaming capabilities at the last Public Relations Committee meeting. It was very impressive. The streaming files are available at the WASD website.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS CONT’D:
Mrs. Markle reminded everyone of the PSBA county meeting on Thursday at Muncy. Registration 6:00 p.m.; dinner 6:30 p.m. and meeting at 7:30 p.m. Representative Cappelli and Senator Madigan will be attending. Mrs. Markle also stated that HB217 includes 40 hours of professional staff development to be paid by the Department of Education.
Mr. Zimmerman reported that the Relay For Life kickoff is this Friday at the Loyalsock High School Athletic Field.
Mrs. Williams indicated that Cochran’s Carnival is this Friday.
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Mahaffey and carried, the meeting adjourned at
7:23 p.m.
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Charles E. Peterson, Jr. Board Secretary