COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area passed its 2011-2012 budget Tuesday night, but with light cuts, in preparation for a potentially bigger budget problem next year.
The board unanimously approved the $31,836,636 balanced budget, with a plan that was called "light" with cuts, including the elimination of the K-4 program, elementary computer instruction, field trips, professional development and summer help.
Staff will be reduced by attrition in the coming year, meaning workers resign or retire to help stem a potential $4 million deficit in 2012-2013.
One personnel move made Tuesday was the elimination of the assistant elementary principal position, currently held by Sherry Glosek, who was reappointed as the district's special education coordinator, effective July 2, at a salary of $66,599.74 plus benefits.
In passing the budget, the board also voted 9-0 to accept the tax levies for the year. All taxes remained the same, including the real estate tax rate of 25.75 mills.
Other budgets approved at the meeting were the Food Service Fund budget, with total expenditures of $1,249.818.38 and a guaranteed profit of $45,000, which will be given to Nutrition Inc. as a financial guarantee in their 2011-2012 food services contract, amended from $37.575.32 at last month's meeting.
Also approved was the Northumberland County Career and Technical Center's budget of $2,007,859, with the stipulation that any surplus funds remaining from sending districts at the end of the fiscal year be deposited into the center's capital reserve account.
Several members of the public questioned the board about a wrestling tournament held June 11 at Kemp Memorial Stadium. While the use of the stadium was applied for by the Shamokin Wrestling Boosters, Charles Shuey felt an outside company benefitted from the tournament.
"Between the gate and the concessions, it appeared that about $20,000 changed hands that went to a private company," Shuey said. "I hope we are not renting out our facilities for others to make a profit."
Sol Bidding presented a list of 21 questions to each board member on the same topic ranging from "Did the insurance cover anyone from getting hurt while participating in the slip and slide contest across the mats that was run by Coach Hockenbrock?" "Is driving the Kabota across the field allowed?" and "Was there any damage to the football field from the abuse and the tables/chairs placed on the field?"
None of the directors answered the questions, nor did Bidding expect them to, but he hoped for a written answer in the mail.
"What I saw there, I didn't like," said former school director Robert Getchey. "We have spent a lot of money and worked very hard to keep the grounds nice, and there was some breaking of the rules during that tournament. I would hope in the future that we do a better job of overseeing events."
Dave Petrovich, building and grounds supervisor for the district, said they are doing the best they can, but didn't think it was as bad as the others were making it out to be.
In other business, the board approved an amendment to the student transportation agreement with Marvin E. Klinger Inc. The new amendment deals with fuel costs, the age of school buses and revises compensation the district pays to $1,188,000.
Also unanimously approved were the rates Klinger Inc. will use to provide transportation for extra-curricular activities in the coming school year as follows: mileage rate, $2.10 per mile; waiting time rate, $9.25 per hour and minimum trip charge, $49.50 plus waiting time.