January 2015 Issue
WASD School Board

President

Lori Baer

Vice President

Karen Confer

Members

Nicholas Grimes

Robin Knauth

Jerene Milliken

Jane Penman

David Stone, Jr.

Spencer Sweeting

Diane Turner
Meetings in Review




Upcoming Meetings

February 3, 6 p.m.
Regular Board Meeting

February 17, 6 p.m.
Regular Board Meeting

To see the board meeting schedule for 2015, click here.
Recognitions

On Jan. 6, the WASD School Board congratulated WAHS students Zach Shade and David Covey for being one of the top 10 team finalists in the 2015 PAA State Automotive Competition.  Both students earned a spot to compete with nine other schools from across the state in Hershey on Feb. 19.  The winner of the state competition advances to the Nationals that are held in April at the NYC International Car Show.
Join Our Mailing List
Dear Community,
 

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Williamsport Area School District's Board Bulletin, a monthly e-publication created to help keep our community even more informed on matters and decisions made at the school board level.

Each of these editions will highlight the salient items that took place or are occurring during the school board meetings within the month, and I encourage you to take a few moments to read through them.

With the new year brings a calendar of school board meetings.  We have committee meetings and action meetings at which public participation is always encouraged.

 

We value your participation at all district events. I hope to see you soon.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lori A. Baer

President

WASD School Board of Directors

WASD Celebrates School Director Recognition Month
Students from across the district gathered in the board room at the District Service Center on Jan. 20 to present each board member with a book that will be dedicated to their respective school libraries in their name.

January is School Director Recognition Month, a recognition that honors members of local boards of education for their commitment to provide quality public education for Pennsylvania's school children.

 

The board also was honored with a small reception prior to the meeting, catered by the district's food service program, The Nutrition Group.

 

Thank you to our board of directors for their time and effort!

 

Standing from left is Dr. Jane Penman, Nicholas Grimes, Spencer Sweeting, David Stone Jr., and Dr. Robin Knauth.  Seated from left is Karen Confer, Diane Turner, Jerene Milliken and Lori Baer.
Board Approves Preliminary Budget for 2015-16
While final budget approval is months away, the board authorized the district to file for exceptions to the Act 1 index when it approved its proposed preliminary budget on Jan. 20.

The Act 1 index, which determines the maximum tax increase school districts can levy without going to voter referendum, allows the board to raise taxes up to 2.7 percent.  

At this point, the district is facing a $3.3 million gap, with about $1.8 million of it caused by retirement increases.  Other factors include salary increases, debt service and cyber charter school costs.  The district will work to close the gap between now and final budget adoption on June 16.  

A more extensive review of projected revenue and expenditures, along with strategies to decrease the deficit, will be presented during the Feb. 3 board meeting.
A 'Good, Clean Audit' Reported for 2013-14 Financials
In a presentation of the 2013-14 single audit package made by Mr. John Compton and his team from Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, the district learned that it is in sound financial standing with a report of a "good, clean audit."

Compton provided an "unmodified opinion," as the district "is in a pretty solid financial state."

Despite the school district being financially sound, Compton warned that pension increases are forecasted to climb extensively over the next several years.  The employer contribution to the pension system will double from $6.1 million in 2013-14 to $12.4 million in 2018-19 as the percentage rate increases each year.
Food Service Program Provides Financial Update
In a food service financial update by Patty Baresse from The Nutrition Group, the school board learned the food service program is, year-to-date, $39,000 ahead of budget. 

Baresse noted that program recently received a $174,000 grant to purchase five new dishwashers for WAMS, Jackson, Stevens, Lycoming and Cochran, and one steamer for Curtin.  In addition she said the breakfast count is down by 200, but 1,800 breakfasts are still served, which has helped the program stay ahead of budget.  

In other news, there has been an increase in promotion of the food service program by conducting events such as grandparent's day, where grandparents joined their grandchild for lunch, as well as creating a youth advisory council.  The youth advisory council enlists the support of students, administrators and parents in an exchange of ideas and suggestions for changes or improvement.