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Monessen School Board passes budget with no tax increase

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MONESSEN – Monessen School Board Monday unanimously approved the 2018-19 budget with no tax hike.

The budget, with an total expenditure of $15.9 million, an increase from last year’s $15.7 million, includes a millage rate of 78.41, the same as the 2017-18 budget.

Superintendent Dr. Leanne Spazak said the board and the finance committee worked hard to balance the budget and to make sure there was no tax increase this year. “Everybody felt that the community needed a break after last year,” Spazak said.

Business Manager Jeff Festor said the biggest factor that helped the district balance the spending plan was the retirement of several teachers the district will not be replacing. “That helped them get to the point where they could pass a budget with a zero tax increase,” Festor said.

“We decreased the number of teaching positions by three; other positions by two,” Spazak said. Spazak said enrollment was down in one class, allowing some smaller classes that required fewer teachers.

“We’re really happy we were able to not have to fire somebody and were still able to decrease those positions,” Spazak said.

The board accepted the retirements of Linda Popp, Lynn Josay and Denise Weckoski. They also hired Rachel Collette as a Spanish teacher at a salary of $37,279.

The board did not vote on a proposed dress code policy for the 2018-19 school year, which called for students to wear uniforms.

“We will be tightening up our current dress code and we’re going to strictly enforce it,” said board President Donna Fantuzzi.

Spazak said there has been a mixed reaction to the proposed uniform policy for all students.

“There’s been a lot of discussion for and a lot of discussion against from the public, ” Spazak said. She said the board believes it would be best to wait until October to further discuss and possibly implement the dress code the following year.

She said if the board votes to pass the dress code by January, it could be implemented for the 2019-20 school year. She said the board wants to make a decision by January to give families time to prepare for the next school year.

Board Secretary Cindy Pawelec said the proposal would help promote a more uniform appearance, level the playing field and to try to increase school spirit since the school’s colors are featured in the uniform. “It’s been successful in other schools,” Spazak said.

Spazak said surveys were sent to all parents and 78 percent of those returned were in favor of the dress code policy. She said parents who are in favor of the dress code say uniforms would save them money on clothing and would eliminate the worry of what the child will wear the next day.

Spazak said there was a mix of opinions from parents and students during an open forum on the issue May 29. “Those who were in favor of it were saying some very positive things,” Spazak said. She said those who were opposed said uniforms wouldn’t allow children to be individuals and some people would not be able to afford the uniforms.

Spazak said clear backpacks, also part of the proposed dress code, are still being looked into. “They’re just not easily available, so to have that instituted right away would be difficult, so we’d probably do that the following year,” Spazak said. She said the district plans to purchase the clear backpacks in bulk to ensure they are available to all students.

The board voted unanimously to approve retaining the services of Kelly, Rielly, Nell, Barna Real Estate Appraisers and Consultants for the appraisal of properties that are the subject of tax assessment appeals. “We thought it was necessary to get one and make sure we do our due diligence for the community,” Spazak said.

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