Shenandoah Valley formally approves budget with no tax increase

May 30--SHENANDOAH -- Real estate taxes will remain the same in the Shenandoah Valley School District with the formal adoption of the 2014-15 general operating budget on Wednesday by the school board.

The school board unanimously adopted the spending plan with a 8-0 vote. The motion to approve was made by Margaret Shustack and seconded by Daniel Salvadore.

The approved budget is the same as the one tentatively adopted in April, according to Business Manager Anthony P. Demalis Jr.

The 2014-15 budget plan of $16,733,460 is an increase of $612,582 (3.8 percent) over the budget in the current fiscal year that will end on June 30. Real estate taxes will remain at 53.30 mills. Each mill brings in about $70,000.

The following tax schedule has no changes from the current fiscal year. Taxes marked as "shared" are divided for distribution, with 50 percent to the school district and the remainder to the school district's municipalities (Shenandoah and West Mahanoy Township):

- Earned income tax (Act 511) -- One percent (shared). Levied on salaries, wages, commissions and other compensation

- Realty transfer tax (Act 511) -- One percent (shared)

- Per capita tax -- $5 (As per Section 579)

- Per capita tax -- $5 (As per Section 511 (shared))

- Occupation privilege tax (Act 511) -- $10 (shared). Levied on all individuals, resident and non-resident, employed in or engaged in any occupation in the school district

- Occupational assessment -- $50 (As per Section 579)

- Five percent tax upon gross of any person/entity engaging in culm processing business

- Ash disposal fee of $5 per ton for any cogeneration facility, person or persons, or other entity.

At the April meeting, Demalis said the budget increase is mainly due to two expenditures:

- An increase in special education of $423,345, which is an increase of 17.22 percent compared to the 2013-2014 budget year

- The Public School Employees' Retirement System rate has increased from 16.93 percent this year to 21.4 percent next year, an increase in the budget of $308,239.

The school board was introduced to April Student of the Month Erika Hank, a senior chosen by the Shenandoah Rotary Club. Hank gave a report on recent past activities and future events, including the commencement exercises for the Class of 2014 at Veterans Memorial Stadium on June 5. Her future plans are to attend college and obtain a degree in speech pathology and/or Egyptology.

Rakowsky reported that Lydia German was selected by the Rotary as the Student of the Year. He said that German is a very good student, and she is very active in providing service to the community.

Rakowsky also congratulated Federal Programs Coordinator Deborah Kessler for winning a small group decoding instructional kit valued at $895 while attending an in-service program. He congratulated the three SV Wall of Fame inductees: Dynise Balcavage, Class of 1983; Robert Buckanavage, Class of 1959; and Edward Tobin, Class of 1975.

Rakowsky also recognized the 72 members of the Class of 2014 on their upcoming graduation.

The first order of business after the superintendent's report was the approval of the graduating Class of 2014.

The school board acted on the following agenda items:

- Approved the following professional staff substitute list: Amanda Holley, elementary K-6; Derek Shane, elementary K-6; Kimberly West, English; and John Semanchick, guest teacher

- Appointed Russell Schumack as physics teacher at a salary of $55,951, along with applicable fringe benefits. The vote was 6-2, with Thomas Twardzik and Richard Zimmerman voting against the appointment.

- Approved the posting and advertising for a technology coordinator

- Approved the 2014-15 accident insurance policy from Bollinger Insurance Agency

- Approved a $20,000 transfer from the cafeteria account to the summer lunch account

- Approved the 2014 Homestead-Farmstead Exclusion resolution

- Accepted the resignation of Class of 2015 adviser Pamela Schumack, effective April 30

- Appointed Dawn Bench, Jennifer Rusin and Jeanette Zellers as volunteer advisers for the Class of 2015

- Appointed Theresa Knipe as cafeteria manager, effective July 1, with salary and benefits to be negotiated

- Appointed Margaret Bzura as executive secretary to the superintendent, effective July 1, with salary and benefits to be negotiated.

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