Cranberry School Board gave its unanimous approval Monday to a tentative 2020-21 budget that doesn’t include a property tax hike.
The budget, a subject that drew no discussion from the school board in the midst of school shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic, is pegged at $19,798,555.
It requires a millage rate of 14.0927, the same levy now being charged.
Meanwhile, the bulk of the meeting agenda focused on changing preparations for the 2020 graduates’ senior events.
“Everything changes every day,” said Ritt Smith, the high school principal.
Smith said the graduates were filmed Monday crossing the auditorium stage, and that footage will be enhanced with outstanding students’ speeches.
On June 3, families will be invited in to see their graduates cross the stage.
Signs were distributed to about 85 homes to honor seniors, a task that took staff members about 11 hours.
A senior awards ceremony was held at 8 p.m. Thursday.
“And, we will have senior events if we go to green,” said Smith, referring to Gov. Tom Wolf’s stages for limited re-openings and gatherings.
“It makes you appreciate what you have,” Smith said. “Our community, parents and seniors have been so gracious in working with us.”
Smith also singled out Superintendent Bill Vonada for his efforts during the school closures.
“I am so appreciative that he is thinking about the whole child, the whole family, the whole community more in this than just science and math. Kudos to him,” said Smith.
Valedictorian Madison Cornelius and salutatorian Jenna Seigworth are examples that “we put out great quality students,” he said.
In other business, the board awarded a multi-year contract to Monark Pupil Transportation Corp. of Gibsonia to transport Cranberry students.
The board hired Jess Faunce, Cheryl Burton, Steffanie Sell and Kristin Whitling as teachers and Sabrina McCormick and Amy Shambaugh for speech/language positions.
Tentative approval was given to a request from the Cranberry Chaos Fastpitch group to use the softball fields on Sundays through Oct. 26. The approval hinges on whether the district’s facilities will be reopened to the public.
The board said the use is subject to health directives from the state and the Centers for Disease Control.
The board endorsed a plan to have a varsity competitive cheer co-op with Oil City School District.
