Jun 10, 2013 2 min read

Canon-McMillan School Board members voted to table a potential settlement regarding The Meadows Casino’s tax assessment at a special meeting Monday night.

Board members voted 6-2 to hold off on the settlement vote until the next voting session, with president Darla Bowman-Monaco and board member Joseph Zupancic opposed.

Members Paul Scarmazzi, Zeffie Carroll, Mark Dopudja, Maureen Helinski, Eric Kline and Manuel Pihakis voted in favor of tabling the settlement decision.

The decision was further discussed in a closed executive meeting.

The terms of the settlement, dated May 28, are the result of a court-ordered mediation.

The Meadows Racetrack & Casino is Canon-McMillan School District’s largest single taxpayer. In 2009, the property owner at that time, Ladbroke Racing Pennsylvania Inc., appealed the $19.9 million tax assessment, the highest in Washington County. In its court filing, it sought an assessment of $10 million. The owner of the property is now Las Vegas-based Cannery Casino Resorts Pennsylvania Racing Inc.

As of now, the implications of the potential settlement remain unclear.

When asked when the school district would be responsible for repaying money to the casino, if the settlement is approved, board solicitor Barbara Graham said those details have not yet been determined.

“That’s one of the terms of the agreement that, unfortunately at this moment in time, can’t be released until after the agreement is finalized. But that is a matter that will be addressed in the settlement agreement that relates to this appeal, if this is approved,” Graham said.

Joni Mansmann, business and finance director, said she is unable to project a school budget for next year because of the pending legal matters within the district “that the board may be taking or may not be taking action on.

“Because of that, I think it’s premature at this point to project because we’re in the process of those matters at this time,” she said.

Mansmann also cautioned that due to pending legal matters, there is likely to be a tax increase next year.

North Strabane Township is the third local government body that receives property tax revenue from the casino, but, as the host municipality, it also receives a yearly percentage of the revenue from its operations. In addition, a local share of casino revenue, set aside by the state, is used to fund projects in all parts of the country.