Early budget raises taxes; principal promoted

Washington School District Board of Directors approved a preliminary 2017-18 balanced budget Monday of $27,705,787, which includes a 3.15 percent increase in property taxes.
Richard Mancini, director of district operations, said under the county’s new property tax assessment, the rate will be 15.1578 mills.
Last year’s millage rate was 135. Under the old assessment, the increase would equal 139.5745 mills.
The median home property value in the district is $85,650. The average real estate tax bill with the new millage would be about $828.
Mancini said the increased millage would equal about a $42 per household increase, though some will see less and some will see more.
The district is facing uncertainty in the state budget and property assessment appeals.
About $80 million in parcels remain under appeal and have yet to be decided.
The increase in millage would generate about $300,000 for the district.
The biggest costs to the district have not changed in years, said Mancini. Pensions remain the largest expenditure, followed by health care and salaries. Cyberschool costs will also increase by about eight percent.
During the board meeting, school directors also named Chet Henderson to the position of principal of the junior and senior high schools.
High school Principal Paul Kostelnik resigned from the district, effective July 1, to take a position as co-principal at Trinity Middle School.
Henderson, the current junior high principal, will now oversee about 600 students in seventh through 12th grades.
“He’s been a very successful junior high principal,” said school board President Jeffrey Fine. “He actually approached us. He feels comfortable bringing the bridge together that we brought about five years ago, bringing seventh and eighth grade into this building. The whole idea was for continuity of education.”
Henderson, a 2001 graduate of Washington, started as a teacher in the district in 2007 and became junior high principal in 2015.
He said his new role will be a challenge, but one he’s comfortable accepting.
“I’ve worked with a lot of the high school teachers. There’s a lot of communication already. That will make it a smoother transition,” he said.
Henderson said he’s focused on expanding education for career-readiness.
The possibility of hiring a vice principal will be discussed at the June 19 meeting, said Fine.
“We’re very comfortable with Chet in the role. We love that fact that he brought to our attention that he was going to be able to serve in that capacity. We understand that he does have that capability,” Fine said. “We wouldn’t have done this without him.”
Henderson’s salary will be $85,000. Kostelnik was on track to earn $91,000.
The board will discuss changes to the junior/senior high school as a result of the new position during a special voting meeting at 6 p.m. June 19 in the administration building.
Henderson’s promotion isn’t the only administrative change. Dr. James Konrad was hired March 27 to replace Superintendent Dr. Roberta DiLorenzo, who has held the position since 1999.