MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Area School Board made district residents happy Thursday night by passing a proposed $16 million budget without a tax increase and agreeing to make needed repairs to the high school swimming pool.
Approving the $16,655,345.35 spending plan for 2013-2014 were Directors Donna James, Dr. Raymond Kraynak, Thomas Ditchey, Robert Mudowney, Michael Brinkash, Michael Rovito, Charles Mannello and Joseph D'Andrea. Ray Kraynak was absent.
Last year's budget totaled $16,070.052. A final spending plan is expected to be adopted next month.
On a 7-1 vote, the board approved repairs not to exceed $15,000 for the swimming pool, which has been closed for approximately two months because sand got into the system and damaged the filter tanks. School district officials also were forced to close the pool in the middle of December when a squirrel damaged an electrical line that knocked out three phases of electricity on the school campus.
Dr. Kraynak cast the lone dissenting vote.
Pool meeting
Brinkash said members of the pool committee met May 2 with parents and boosters of the youth swim programs in the district to discuss the repairs and fund-raising activities to maintain the pool,
"It was a very productive meeting and everyone is working together to keep the pool open," he said. Brinkash said school officials believe the repairs will cost approximately $11,000.
Buildings and grounds director Dave Fegley, who conducted a thorough inspection of the pool, said repairs will be made to the filter tanks and heating system, but didn't know when work will begin.
At the end of the meeting, several parents commended the board for making the repairs.
Approximately 40 parents, students, coaches and concerned citizens attended last month's meeting seeking answers about the future of the district's swimming pool and programs.
Although board members at that time were unable to provide many answers because of the unavailability of cost estimates to repair the pool, supporters made it clear they will do everything to assure the pool reopens.
Other business
Directors agreed to enter into a $163,226 contract with Nagle Athletic Surfaces, Liverpool, N.Y., to replace the running track at the high school stadium. The work will include installing crossover mats and the installation of 1 1/2-inch asphalt under layment, if needed.
The resurfacing project will be paid with money left over from the stadium project bond issue.
The board approved the retirements of special education teacher Anne Becker, elementary instructor Bart McCollum and junior-senior high school music and choral teacher Sharon Styer.
Superintendent Bernie Stellar commended the retirees for their years of service to the district.
At the beginning of the meeting, Bill Pendziwiatr, president of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, presented Styer with a citation of excellence from the association for her outstanding work and dedication over the years. Styer, who serves as president of District 8 of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, was honored at last month's association convention in Erie.
Pendziwiatr, who resides in Berwick, and Stellar praised Styer for her intelligence, cooperation and organization.
The board accepted the resignation of elementary teacher William Brokenshire and assistant varsity girls' basketball coach Frank Bolick, and hired Joe Varano to replace Bolick at a salary of $2,600.
Directors approved the district's share of the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center budget in the amount of $460,954. The total budget is $1,603,745.
The athletic fund budget totaling $185,313 and cafeteria budget in the amount of $995,855.07 also were approved.