RIMERSBURG – Once again pointing out that cyber charter school costs are dragging down local school districts, Union School District officials last week approved the 2024-2025 preliminary budget which requires a tax increase to the maximum state index.
The Union School Board unanimously approved the $14,677,920 spending plan at its May 16 meeting, raising property taxes by 8.2 percent to 60.8821 mills.
Although the school board approved the preliminary budget and tax rate without much comment during the meeting, school officials were quick to point out afterward that they see the tax hike as being directly tied to continually rising cyber charter school costs, which get passed on to local school districts.
“Charter schools and cyber charter schools are independently operated public schools. They do not charge students tuition; however, it is not free,” Union business manager Megan Hepler said. “The district of residence of each enrolled student is responsible for paying the student’s tuition by forwarding most of the tax dollars that are generated by property taxes.”
Hepler said Union currently has 45 students enrolled in cyber charter schools, with the district paying more than $900,000 annually.
“Raising taxes is not an easy decision, given our local economic position,” Union superintendent Dr. John Kimmel said. “However, the state government, their lack of action concerning cyber funding reform and funding disparity between districts, has forced small rural schools into a position where they need to raise taxes to cover the ever increasing cyber school costs.
“I want to be 100 percent clear that the tax raise is absolutely tied to the increase in cyber costs our district has experienced,” Kimmel added. “Although our district continues to take measures to try to encourage families to remain with our school district instead of moving to cyber education, the number of students enrolled in cyber education programs remains higher than desired.”
Hepler explained that even with raising taxes to the limit set by the state, Union expects to generate only around $161,000 in additional revenues. The budget, if formally adopted in June as it was presented last week, still relies heavily on the district’s reserve fund, with $750,475 needed to balance the budget.
Despite the restrictions, both Kimmel and Hepler were optimistic that the proposed budget will allow Union to move forward with a number of staff- and program-related improvements in the new school year.
Hepler said the plan includes new social studies curriculum for grades 6-12, new science curriculum for grades 3-5, a new reading series for kindergarten through second grades, and a social and emotional learning program for students at the high school. On the staffing side, it also includes the addition of a new elementary science teacher position for grades 3-5, and a new social and human service assistant position.
“It is very refreshing that we have been able to discuss academic programming through this budget season and have made it more of a priority than in past years,” Kimmel said. “Including items such as a Social and Human Services Assistant which is paid through a grant for three years, adding a dedicated science teacher to the elementary school, purchasing curriculum which has been very outdated, etc., in the budget is very positive.
“The district has also committed funds in this budget to purchase programming to combat bullying,” the superintendent explained. “We would like to continue to discuss how we can provide better/more academic programming for our students without the tight confines of our overstressed funding. If we have more funds or fewer expenditure obligations in other areas, we would like to allocate more toward academic programs.”
Hepler said the new Social and Human Services Assistant will provide support for students and their families in a variety of ways, acting as a liaison between the school district and community agencies to provide targeted services for the student and/or family in helping the student to more adequately access their educational services.
Kimmel also explained that Union’s budget was crafted conservatively due to the fact that 71 percent of the district’s funding comes from the state, and the state budget is never adopted until after school districts must approve their own spending plans.
“This means that we never know what we are getting in funding from state sources,” he said.
However, Kimmel said he was hopeful that the state budget, as presented by Gov. Josh Shapiro, would help school districts like Union.
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“Given the governor’s budget proposal earlier this year, we are hopeful that we may receive some Adequacy Funding as well as Cyber Funding Reform,” Kimmel said. “These two items could potentially account for nearly $1 million for the district in the form of cyber funding savings and additional revenue. However, professional organizations who closely monitor state budget talk, have recommended to schools that we not account for these two items in our annual budget.
“I am hoping that our state representatives and senators advocate for our local schools when discussing the state budget, as the cyber funding reform could potentially save taxpayers in their region more than $2 million annually while providing support for our school system,” Kimmel concluded.
Union’s preliminary budget is available for public inspection at the district’s central office, with the plan expected to be formally adopted at the board’s June 13 meeting.
Other Business
• The board approved the district’s 2024-2025 Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion, noting that funding has been increased which will result in larger discounts for taxpayers who qualify for the exemptions.
• Approval was given for the resurfacing of the high school track in the amount of $157,465 by Rekortan. Work on the track is expected to begin shortly after school is out.
• A bid of $100,000 was awarded to Hiles Excavating of Chicora for parking lot repairs.
• Brenda Greenawalt was hired as the district’s food service director, and the board also rescinded the previously approved letter of retirement for cafeteria manager Kim Radaker.
• Jack Salter was hired as the district’s band director at a salary of $2,900, and choir director at a salary of $1,200.
• Angie Hawk was contracted at a daily rate of $271, not to exceed $50,000 for the school year, as the district’s new social and human service assistant.
• Permission was granted for the district to advertise for an elementary teacher, noting that it would be for a second grade position.
• Dr. Josh Polacek of Peace Dental in Clarion was appointed school dentist at a rate of $6 per exam, while Dr. Wilson from Penn Highlands was appointed school doctor a rate of $15 per exam.
• Approval was given to purchase a new social studies curriculum for grades 6-12 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt at a cost of $31,185.
• The purchase of new science curriculum for sixth grade was approved at a cost of $4,203 from Carolina Curriculum.
• The following coaching positions were approved: Robert Corrado, assistant varsity football coach, $2,125; Caden Rainey, assistant varsity football coach, $2,125; Josh Meeker, head junior high boys basketball coach, $1,634; Amy Wilson, assistant junior high boys basketball coach, $1,300; and Ricky Long, assistant junior high football coach, $1,125.
