The Cranberry Area School District is facing a potential budget crunch despite being only a few months into the fiscal year.
“We are looking at a shortfall,” said Tom Neely, school board president, at a school board meeting Monday. “… This is going to be a tough year for us.”
While not particular on the finances, Neely suggested the board members discuss cuts or changes that may be needed to either reduce or eliminate the projected 2020-21 shortfall.
In a conversation, muted in numerous instances because of face masks and the relocation of the meeting to a cavernous center hall at the high school, Lance Mitchell, a school director, said the board already “had our backs to the wall” during budget deliberations last year.
“We kept saying we are not raising taxes … and now we’re stuck,” said Mitchell. “So, when is it a good time to do that?”
Neely responded, “Sure as hell not during a pandemic.”
Kyle Melat, a board member, said a key element in the projected budget deficit is the escalating cost of private cyber school tuition for students who choose that option.
“Our biggest battle is cyber school,” he said. “We’re losing a percentage of our student body. … Something has to change.”
Bill Vonada, school superintendent, said the cost of cyber school is pegged at $933,000 this year. The district budgeted $451,000 for the costs but, he said, “That was before COVID.”
“The bad news is, we’re not done with school yet,” he said.
Board member Mark Marterella said the board will have to address all elements of the district budget, a spending plan that will not be adopted until the end of June 2021.
“Nothing will be off the table,” he said.
Chad Findlay, a board member, agreed “a lot of things have changed” as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and its effects on school districts. “But this is no different than your personal finances,” he said. “Sometimes you have to dip into savings.”
In concluding what he described as preliminary budget considerations, Neely told the board, “In meetings over the year, we’ll have to put our heads together. … It will be a hard discussion.”
‘School is safe’
Vonada told the board the region remains in the “moderate stage” as to the number of local coronavirus cases, a designation that does not change how school districts may conduct business.
“My intention is to stay with our (in-person) model unless we start to experience students and teachers getting the virus,” he said. “School is safe and the best place for everyone.”
In other business
– The board approved a recommendation by Business Manager Henry Karg to continue contracts with elected tax collectors for Cranberry, Pinegrove and Rockland townships.
The alternative was to hire a private firm to collect the taxes. Karg said the tax collector deal will not cost the district additional money.
In keeping the contract intact, one that offers in-person services at local offices, it allows the district “to keep the personal touch, and that’s important,” said Findlay.
– Personell items that were handled include: resignation of Chris Bost, boys assistant track and field coach; resignation of Tori Burkhart as child care aide; and the hiring of Karen Garland as child care aide.
