On a divided vote, the GASD school board approved Monday a proposed 2020-21 budget that projects about $65.7 million in revenues and $69.8 million in expenditures.
The proposed budget includes a 0.8 percent tax increase.
Board members AmyBeth Hodges, Michael Dickerson, and Kathleen Adams Pratt voted “No”
Timon Linn, Carrie Soliday, Al Moyer, Tim Seigman, Sylvan Hershey, and Board President Kenneth Hassinger voted “Yes.”
The vote came after an extensive discussion of the district’s needs and future revenue projections over the board’s past two meetings.
Perrin said the proposed increase would create about $250,000 worth of revenue and noted that even with this increase the board would have to take about $4.1 million from the district’s “fund balance” reserves to balance the 2020-2021 budget.
The budget includes adding a third grade teacher at Franklin Elementary.
Perrin said the budget would be adjusted based on potential changes in predicted revenue or expenditures before the final budget is voted on in June.
Perrin said the proposed budget would leave about 8 percent in the fund balance.
“We want that to be as healthy as possible going into the future,” said Perrin.
Perrin said the recommended 0.8 percent increase would cost the average property owner $22.70 for the year, or about $1.89 a month.
Some board members expressed discomfort with the proposed tax increase while others justified it as necessary.
“I just can’t entertain a tax increase and I don’t believe it’s in the district’s best interest,” said Hodges. “I can’t personally vote for this.”
“I was a little surprised coming in at a .8 increase to start with,” said Dickerson.
Moyer said he was in favor of staying with the .8 increase. “I’m concerned that our savings account will decrease to a point where it’s going to make it much more difficult. To be prudent as a school district we cannot overspend,” said Moyer.
Board president Hassinger said “I don’t like tax increases. This is only a proposed budget. This seems the logical way to go.”
Asked by Pratt how he had created the budget, Perrin said the district worked with “budget actuals,” the amount that was actually spent during the year.
“We’ve held spending constant during the several years I’ve been here,” said Perrin. “We’re doing a pretty good job at holding the costs we have control over.”
“I always have to propose what I think is right for the district,” said Perrin.
Special Budget Requests for Safety and Mental Health Staff
The proposed budget includes three “Special Budget Requests” for new staff members, each of which may or may not be included in the final budget:
A Middle School Resource Officer at $87,000 annually.
This is a safety and security position to be stationed at the middle school and Lincoln Elementary. School board representative Andrew Robinson said the board and administration will continue to discuss the school resource officer position and that Gettysburg Borough has made an offer to staff the position.
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at $88,840 annually.
Supervisor of Special Education Kelly Dewees said the BCBA position was “very specific to behavioral analysis, targeting behavioral interventions and instruction to combat behavioral issues at all levels.”
Dewees said many students with behavior problems are currently sent outside the district. “By employing this type of position we will help the district better target our interventions. The ultimate goal is help kids self-regulate while remaining in their classroom.”
This person would be “part of the fabric of Gettysburg,” said Dewees.
A High School Dean of Students at $53,181 annually.
High School Principal Jeremy Lusk said the proposed Dean of Students (DOS) position was “designed to create focus for one person to attend to the mental health and wellness of our entire building.”
Lusk said the DOS would work with the administrative team to design a school-wide positive behavior support system that would ” reinforce desired behaviors in our school systematically.”
Lusk said the DOS would “respond to disciplinary issues and work with the other administrators and counselors and teachers on that response.”
Lusk said the DOS would also focus attendance problems including creating individualized student plans as required by the state.
Several board members expressed the desire to be able to vote the three SBR proposals up or down individually.
Board member Carrie Soliday said she was uncomfortable with the SBRs. “Right now we are uncertain about the economic future and adding positions with reoccurring costs feels a little reckless at this point without knowing what the situation will be in in the future,” said Soliday.
Pandemic Concerns
Board member Kathleen Pratt said it had been reported that Pennsylvania School boards are projected to lose about $1 billion in local revenue as a result of COVID-19 and questioned whether the budget’s expected 2.9% increase in income over last year was appropriate.
Perrin said the current budget is based on data currently available to the school board. “We aren’t seeing drops in collection but if we realize any it probably won’t be until we’re partially into the next fiscal year,” said Perrin.
Hodges Thanks Teachers
Hodges thanked retiring teacher Joan Malone saying “she is by far one of the kindest, most patient, professional women I’ve ever seen within our district.”
She also thanked retiring ESL teacher Vicki Measic as “one of my favorite people on earth. Her love for teaching is exemplary.”
Hodges also thanked Keri Peterson, saying she was going to be a great fit for the third grade teaching position.
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.