The Octorara Area School Board, saying they were finely tuning next year’s budget in the midst of “harsh realities,” said May 10 they are looking for community help to fund both a playground for Octorara Intermediate School and the middle school sports program.
The $105,000 middle school athletic program, which impacts 200 students, has been cut from the school district’s proposed $47.6 million budget, which is scheduled for a preliminary vote May 17 and final approval in June.
However, board members told athletic director Jim Weagley he had their blessing to explore the possibility of recommending whatever part of the program he could salvage with income from activity fees and fundraising from community booster groups.
Weagley said he will see if there is volunteer support either to retain the entire program, combine seventh and eighth-grade teams, or simply run an intramural program.
“We need to encourage kids as far as fitness, well-being and character,” parent and special education aide Chris Lawrence told the school board.
“There are many programs the district has discontinued or has never funded,” said Superintendent Tom Newcome. “We’re not questioning the value. The question is whether we can pay for them.”
The school board recently trimmed $1.2 million from a budget business manager Dan Carsley called “challenging.” The rural district is coping with rising personnel, medical, retirement and transportation costs, uncertain state and federal funding, and a tax base with limited business funding.
“This is the way things are going to be,” Newcome said. “The way we fund schools has got to change.
District representatives are also working with state Rep. Bryan Cutler and Rep. Tom Houghton to bring more businesses into the district, and toward legislation which would replace tax revenue lost to Clean and Green.
As for the playground, board members said they would likely next week follow through with spending $16,000 from the capital reserve fund to build a playground for middle school students. The PTO has over the last two years raised $5,600 for the equipment, and board members said they are hopeful volunteers will continue to reimburse the fund for the balance.
Weagley also told the school board teacher Tom Hurley, who runs Hurley Fitness Performance, will bring to the school board a proposal to operate the high school fitness center for students, staff and the community. A joint venture with the Brandywine YMCA recently fizzled during YMCA management changes.
Carsley said the school district spent $40,000 on snow removal last winter due to heavy storms. He’s hopeful the district will receive some FEMA reimbursement.
The school board next meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 17 in the multipurpose room at Octorara Intermediate School. Newcome is recommending the school board then approve a proposed preliminary budget which will deliver to Lancaster County residents a tax bill of 28.32 mills (up .64 mills) and a bill of 35.12 mills (up 2.89 mills) to Chester County residents.
Carsley said the average tax bill for Lancaster County residents will be $3,978, and the average bill in Chester County will be $4,998. These most recent figures have lowered slightly since April, and school board members and administrators say figures could very well change before final adoption in June.
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