Blue Mountain School Board votes to keep lid on tax increase

The Blue Mountain School Board on Dec. 14 enacted a resolution stating that the 2024-25 budget would not include a tax increase by more than the 6.7% index established by the state Department of Education. A tax increase higher than that would require requesting special approval from the state.

The board reorganized in December as new members took their seats. The board includes newly elected members John Campomizzi Sr. and Rebecca Miller, re-elected members Dr. Timothy Grube, Krista Strause and Michelle Vesay, and holdovers Roy Heim, Marie Riegel, Anne Usuka and Rosanne Zelusky.

Vesay was unanimously elected president. Grube remains vice president after overcoming a challenge from Zelusky. Miller joined Zelusky in voting against Grube. Usuka was unanimously elected treasurer.  Strause agreed to remain as board secretary, and Vesay will remain IU representative. Heim will continue representing Blue Mountain on the Schuylkill Technology Center board.

Strause and Riegel will represent the district on the Recreation Commission board, and Campomizzi Sr. will join Superintendent Dr. David Helsel as Eagle Foundation representatives. Usuka was named Pennsylvania School Boards Association Legislative Council representative.

Departing school board members David Lafko and Scott Reichert were recognized for their 12 years of service to the district.

The board approved hiring Thomas Kanger as head cross country coach at a stipend of $5,400. Kanger replaces Justin O’Brien. Joshua Bishop was accepted as high school assistant band director at a stipend of $1,261.

Morgan Zimmerman was approved as Blue Mountain Recreation Supervisor, Sports & Aquatics at the prorated annual salary of $45,000 effective Dec. 18.

At the committee of the whole meeting, Heim stated that the final completion of the baseball field turf was being done and that a fence needs to be installed.

Computer servers will be upgraded over holiday break so as not to cause disruption. Stage lighting at the middle school is nearing completion, and quotes are being received for stage lighting at the high school.

Source: Berkshire mont