Jun 20, 2017 2 min read

Trinity Area School Board on Thursday unanimously adopted a $55.3 million final budget for the 2017-18 school year that sets a new tax rate in accordance with new Washington County assessments, and includes a tax increase of 0.26 mills.

Real estate in the county was recently reassessed, and this is the first budget Trinity passed using the new valuations. Under the new system, 100 percent of fair market value is used to calculate the real estate tax. Previously, the assessment used 25 percent of the 1983 value of property.

The board set the new rate in the final budget at 13.60 mills, a reduction of 1.4 mills from the preliminary budget.

The owner of a home assessed at $100,000 will see a $26 tax increase.

The state Department of Education had approved a maximum 14.63 millage rate.

“We were able to reduce that number significantly by making cuts that did not impact student programs, such as postage and copying operations and streamlining clerical and support services,” said Superintendent Dr. Michael Lucas.

The school district also received more than $300,000 in grants, and is currently applying for additional grants for next year.

In another matter, the board approved the retirements of high school math teacher Alicia Richey and elementary teacher Judy Leary.

Directors also approved moving Daniel Hilty from half-time to full-time music teacher at a salary of $48,500; accepted the resignation of Leslie Urso as middle school cross country assistant coach; hired elementary teachers Ashley Szala, Kelly Harrington and Alexa Burzese at a salary of $48,000 each, and Brittany Guariglia at a salary of $48,600; hired William Hughes as elementary guidance counselor at a salary of $48,600; hired Brittany Hott and Andrea Gandy as science teachers at $48,000 and $48,600, respectively; and hired Erin Thornburg as secondary math teacher at $48,600.

The board also approved a one-year contract with Richard Horner to serve as a school police officer, effective July 1 through June 30, 2018.