chost@observer-reporter.com

WAYNESBURG - The $22.8 million renovation of Waynesburg Central High School once again will cost property owners a bit more next year.

Central Greene School Board approved a tentative tax increase for the second consecutive year to fund a proposed budget that has grown by about 6 percent to $27.9 million. The board voted 6-2 to set the property tax rate at 24.7 mills, a jump of 1.43 mills over this year's levy. Directors Richard Remsing and Roberta Boyd dissented, and Joanne Brookover was absent.

"About 1 mill of the tax increase is because of the debt service" payments on the high school renovation, said Business Manager Debbie Crouse.

The rest of the tax increase can be attributed to higher costs for employee salaries, benefits and other costs. The district saw a nine percent jump in its medical insurance, Crouse said.

For the owner of a house assessed at $100,000, the tax increase will cause him to pay $143 more in property taxes next year. That homeowner paid $2,327 under this year's rate of 23.27 mills, but he stands to pay $2,470 under the proposed rate of 24.7 mills.

The district will spend about $3 million, or nearly 11 percent, of the budget for debt service payments. The district floated $22.8 million in bonds to pay for the high school renovation. It also pays on debt that was floated to pay for earlier building projects.

Most of the budget, about 55 percent, will be spent on instruction, with $10 million for regular classes; $4.1 million for special education and $1.2 million for vocational education.

About 31.5 percent of the budget is reserved for various administrative and support departments, which include school libraries, offices, building maintenance and transportation. Two percent of the spending plan will be used for student activities and other costs.

The budget is tentative. The school board is expected to adopt a final version at the rescheduled regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. June 23. In the meantime, the budget will be available for public inspection at the district administration office.

The board approved four change orders for the high school renovation that will add about $10,000 to the overall cost. The changes include an underground water line, as opposed to an exposed pipe, to the science wing; carpeting, as opposed to tile, in the percussion room; electrical improvements to serve the new concession stand at the football field; and a cheaper shelving system to store the music library files.

Work on the renovation began earlier this year. Construction should be finished by the start of the 2009-10 school year. It will include a new science wing and music suite as well as a new heating, air conditioning and ventilation system, brick work, a new roof, a new gymnasium floor and new kitchen equipment.

The board accepted several retirements and resignations including Sarah Matthews, elementary teacher; Beth Goodwin, high school art teacher; Erin Connors, middle school music teacher; Linda Mimnaugh, second grade teacher at Perry Elementary; Sonya Boyles, superintendent's secretary; and Rebecca Baily, accounts payable clerk.

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