TMCnet News
Board tables decision on budget [The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. :: ](Sentinel, The (Carlisle, PA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) June 19--SHIPPENSBURG -- The Shippensburg Area School District board of directors Monday failed to pass its proposed general fund budget of $44,332,873 for 2014-15. The board, which must pass a budget by June 30, has scheduled a special meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, at the middle school cafeteria. The proposed budget reflects a tax rate decrease of 0.0028 mil (less than $1) for district residents in Cumberland County, and an increase of 0.2778 mil (about $4) for those in Franklin County, according to business administrator Deb Westover. Director Andrew Alosi said there are "too many unknowns at this time" because the state budget has not yet been approved. The Shippensburg school district could lose $481,245 in state funds through the Student Focused Learning Grant, she said. Most of that money ($384,581) was designated for full-day kindergarten teachers and a technical education position. "I would rather not vote tonight (Monday), and then schedule another meeting later in the month," Alosi said. "Year after year of increasing taxes is not going to get us out of the red," said Director Marlyn Reed. "We need to come up with alternative avenues to help our kids." The board also tabled the hiring of Denise J. Sharp as supervisor of curriculum and instruction and federal programs. "I don't think we should vote on a new administrator until our budget is approved," said Director Mark Buterbaugh. In other business: --Assistant Superintendent Matt Strine acknowledged $2,500 for the senior high library and two scholarship funds, given as a gift from the Class of 2014. --Director Don Hilbinger said the Franklin County Career and Technology Center is considering a change to its driving policy, which would permit students to drive to school. He said the policy was changed to restrict driving in 2007. --Shippensburg art teacher Sarah Maclay recognized students Elke Staver and Jack Yeager as winners of this year's ARTrageous Super Awards. Elke is a third-grade student at Nancy Grayson Elementary School, and Yeager graduated this year from Shippensburg Area Senior High School. --The board acknowledged receipt of the following donations: books, donated by Friends of the Shippensburg Public Library, valued at $114; and Volvo, $1,000, and Joyce Shirley, $25, for the Special Education Track and Field Meet. ___ (c)2014 The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pa.) Visit The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pa.) at www.cumberlink.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |