No tax increase in Blue Mountain school budget

The Blue Mountain School Board on June 22 approved a $47.6 million budget with no tax increase.

Revenues are in the amount of $47,217,877 and expenditures in the amount of $47,665,836.

Also approved at the meeting was a resolution authorizing the sale of the Blue Mountain Elementary Cressona Property to Salisbury House LLC, and authorizing the administration and solicitor to take all necessary steps required by the Public School Code to finalize the sale. A sale price of $1.3 million was quoted at the meeting.

A motion to contract with a selected vendor to install vape detectors at the middle and high school buildings at a cost not to exceed $53,400 was tabled. The board decided to put off further discussion on the matter after a parent complained that installing such detectors would be a waste of money and that district resources should be devoted to safety and security.

In miscellaneous business, the following motions were passed:

• The awarding of a bid to Koppy’s Propane to provide propane delivery for the district for one year in the amount of $1.1690 per gallon.

• Authorizing administration to contract with a selected vendor to install a stage light system at the middle school at a cost not to exceed $180,000.
• The elimination of the Director of Special Education position effective June 30 and the elimination of one full-time special education teacher effective for 2022-23, along with the creation of a Director of Pupil Services position effective July 1. The moves come following the retiring of district assistant superintendent, director of special education, and director of Pupil Services Dr. Frank Musitano. Dr. Tyler E. Herman will assume the position of Director of Pupil Services effective July 1. Herman will also take Musitano’s position on the Threat Assessment & Crisis Response Team.

• The approval of Eric Prock continuing as board solicitor at a rate of $175 per hour for all billable hours and a $4,000 retainer beginning July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

• The approval of the adult lunch price of $4 and breakfast at $2 for the 2023-24 school year.

• The approval of purchase for a dish machine and booster for the high school cafeteria at a cost not to exceed $55,000 with monies coming from the cafeteria fund.

• An approval to renew the district’s membership with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, Inc. at a cost of $15,593.23 for the 2023-2024 school year.

There will be no July school board meeting as is customary each summer unless needed. The next meetings will be the regular committee of the whole meeting at the district office on Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m. followed by the next regular school director’s public meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 24 at the middle school.

Source: Berkshire mont