TURBOTVILLE — Warrior Run School Board approved a proposed final $28.6 million 2024-25 school year budget with tax increases for real estate owners in Northumberland and Montour counties. Union County property owners will see their real estate tax decrease.
Because students at Warrior Run come from three different counties where real estate assessments vary, the district has had to rebalance millage rates for each county based on their percentage of total market value.
“This is the proposed final budget,” said Tyler Potts, district business manager. “The final budget will be approved during the June 4 meeting that will officially set millage rates.
Montour County’s rate is proposed to increase from 14.89 mills to 14.93, or 0.04 mills. An increase of $4 for every $100,000 assessed value.
Union County property owners will see a decrease from 12.40 to 12.32, or 0.08 mills — a decrease of $8 for every $100,000 assessed value.
Northumberland County will see an increase from 74.57 to 78.15, or 3.58 mills. An increase of $358 for every $100,000 assessed value. The increase for Northumberland County, Potts said, “is due to an increase in proportionate market value compared to Montour and Union counties for the entire district.”
Total budgeted expenditures is $28,613,281 and budgeted revenue is $28,019,359 for a deficit of $593,922.
“We propose using $200,000 of health care/assigned funds to offset the deficit and the remaining $393,922 deficit would go against the unassigned fund balance,” Potts said. “The district is not going to the full index. There is an increase of 3.30 percent to Northumberland County from the rebalanced rate, and the district’s index to not exceed 7 percent.
“Total expenditures for 2023-2024 were $27,120,646, so an increase of 5.50 percent for 2024-2025. The largest driver is increased salaries, benefits and additional staff.”
Expenditures approvedThe board approved the transfer of $1 million from the general fund balance to the capital reserve fund. The funds will be used for future building projects, facility updates, technology, and other capital expenditures, Potts said.
Project quotes approved at the meeting were:
Resilite Sports Products, $12,149 to purchase a new competition wrestling mat.
Resilite Sports Products, $28,008, to buy new wrestling room mats.
All American Athletics, $37,850 to resurface the junior/senior high school competition gym.
PA Painting and Wallcovering Inc., $13,400, to paint the junior/senior high school competition gym.
C.M. Eichenlaub Co., $119,627 for upgrades to the junior/senior high school competition gym.
CertaPro Painters, $43,648.00 to paint the gym corridors.
Students honored
Several students were recognized, including:
Elementary School Citizen of the Month for April 2024 was Dakota Weirick, a fourth-grade student in Mr. Bowman’s class. He is the son of Dustin Weirick of Allenwood and Aleshia Weirick.
Junior/senior high school board representatives: Judah Kennel, senior, Sara Gehrum, junior and Emmett Ranck, eighth grade.
Elementary school board representatives: Julian Persing, sixth-grade student.
Prom promise simulation
This afternoon the district will conduct a Prom Promise simulation in front of the junior/senior high school office.
This simulation aims to educate students about the dangers and consequences of drinking and driving, particularly in the context of prom celebrations. The simulation will involve a mock car accident scenario, complete with emergency response teams including fire, rescue and EMS, Watsontown police, the coroner, Life Flight, and representatives from a funeral home. Through realistic makeup, props and coordinated efforts, the school will simulate the aftermath of a drunk driving accident.
Following the simulation, there will be a debriefing session where students can reflect on the event and its implications. The goal is to provide students with a firsthand understanding of the devastating impact that drinking and driving can have on individuals, families, and communities.
Hires and resignations
The board approved hiring Scott Moll, director of technology, effective May 9, 2024, at a salary of $90,000 (prorated).
Letters of resignation were received from: Alyssa Cole, elementary art teacher, effective end of the 2023/2024 school year; and Haley Laudenslager, second-grade teacher, effective end of the 2023/2024 school year.
The board approved Corey Dufrene, Jacob Rees, Rob Ryder, Aranda Beachel and Sharon Hall as summer help, effective June 3, 2024, for a maximum of 12 weeks, at a rate of $12.50 per hour.