NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. by: John Gerow (RVO) – Redbank Valley School Board approved a final budget for fiscal year 2019 – 2020 at their regular monthly meeting on June 3rd. The $18,550,314 dollar spending plan comes with an increase in Property Tax of 3.4% and no change in the township levied Per Capita Taxes, Occupation Taxes, Earned Income Taxes, and Real Estate Transfer Taxes. The budget which passed on an 8 – 1 vote, with Director Dee Bell being the only no vote, projects more than $800,000 in deficit spending. All of the Directors were present, except for Mrs. Linda Ferringer, who joined the meeting via to vote. The meeting was held in the high school library in front of a standing room only crowd.

In the discussion prior to the budget vote, Director Jason Barnett pointed out that Property Taxes only amount to about $2,000,000 of the District’s spending needs. Increasing Property Tax rates and revenue by 3.4%, which is the current limit set by the Commonwealth without voter approval, can only generate about $60,000 in additional revenue in the best case scenario. Mr. Barnett pointed out that the budget cannot be balanced just by increasing property taxes, there must also be cuts made in spending.

There were 2 line items in the budget that were voted as separate spending items. The Board approved entering into an agreement with Moore Physical Therapy to provide a trainer for the high school sports teams. The motion caps compensation at $35,000.00 for the year with $6,990.00 in benefits. The motion passed on a 7 – 2 vote with Directors Dee Bell and Don Nair voting against.

The second line item that generated significant concern and interest was whether or not the Board would continue to hire security persons for each of the schools in the District. The Board approved spending $100,000 this coming school year on security. This spending is to be split equally between hiring personnel and “hardening” buildings as suggested by at least 2 security consultants. Superintendent Dr. John Mastillo recommended this balanced approach to the Board. The Board will approve specific usage of funds as the Superintendent develops the security plan for the 2019 – 2020 school year. This motion passed on a 6 – 3 vote with Directors Bell, Nair, and Reddinger voting against.

Standing Room Only crowd at June 3 School                                 Board Meeting.
*Photo Courtesy John Gerow and RVO

The other large spending item was the vote to renew the contract with David Reitz as Cafeteria Manager for fiscal year 2019 – 2020. Mr. Reitz will earn $45,000.00 with benefits package worth $25,504.00. In the pre-voting discussion, Directors Bell and Barnett expressed their desire for this to be a multi-year agreement, rather than the 1 year proposed by Dr. Mastillo and presented in the motion in the agenda. The motion passed unanimously.

Along with renewing Mr. Reitz’s contract the Board approved renewing the agreement to share Mr. Reitz’s position with the North Clarion School District. The agreement calls for Redbank to pay 60% of the   compensation and for North Clarion to pick up the remaining 40%. The split seems logical since Mr. Reitz works in the Redbank schools 3 days each week and in the North Clarion schools the other 2 days. Director Barnett was the lone no vote in the 8 – 1 tally.

In some restructuring for next school year, the Board approved extending work hours for Mrs. Blystone and Mrs. Switzer in the high school guidance office. Art teacher and Athletic Director Roddy Hartle was also given additional hours, as was school nurse Valerie Steffy. Business Manager’s Secretary Leslie Minich was also given extra hours.

The Board regretfully accepted the resignation of Sherri McGinnis who has served the District as the Superintendent’s Confidential Secretary for many years.

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ABOUT:
Redbank Valley School District provides education services for the 165 square mile area of New Bethlehem and Hawthorn boroughs, and the townships of Mahoning, Madison, Porter, and Redbank of both Clarion and Armstrong counties.

MEETINGS:
The Redbank Valley School Board meetings the first Monday of every month at 7pm at the High School Library.

CONTACT:
For more information about the Redbank Valley School District, please call 814.275.2426 or visit RedbankValley.org/pg/biz/redbank-valley-school-district