FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - The recommendations announced during Wednesday's workshop of the North Schuylkill Board of Education to deal with an almost $1.6 million budget deficit for the 2012-13 school year dealt with cuts and adjustments in the academic curriculum and sports programs.
District Superintendent Andrew D. Smarkanic said the school board and administration are planning for the next school year based on the budget proposed by Gov. Tom Corbett, but adjustments can be made at the school district level if the state Legislature decides to provide additional funds to public education.
In his letter posted on the North Schuylkill website, www.northschuylkill.net, Smarkanic said, "We want to assure our community that our fiscal decisions are and always will be based on best educational practices. Last budget year forced us to change our mindset on how we prioritize our fiscal decisions. Going forward, we again must plan to 'adapt and overcome' the financial barriers set before all public schools in this state."
At the meeting, Smarkanic said North Schuylkill is dealing with the same budget constraints as many other school districts throughout the commonwealth.
"This is not a sprint to the finish," Smarkanic said. "We have to come up with a preliminary budget by May and a final budget by June. Unfortunately, we have to put numbers together prior to getting any kind of numbers from the state or federal sources.
"Obviously, the most important thing on the table for the board is the realignment of the curriculum so I can send the proposal to the (Pennsylvania) Department of Education for their approval."
Business Manager Robert Amos said that if nothing changes in funding for the following budget year, the school district will have additional budgetary challenges.
"Right now, the local legislators at the state level really are just hoping that the economy turns around," Amos said. "Personally, I'm not expecting any kind of funding increase from the state next year as well."
Amos added the health insurance premiums are going up about 14 percent, representing another $400,000 cost to the district next year, and the contractual raises are about another $400,000.
"So, looking two years out for the 2013-14 year, and if the state funding remains the same again and if our expenditures stay level, we're already looking at being $1.2 million short for the 2013-14 year," Amos said.
Smarkanic asked district residents to raise their voices to the local state legislators to increase education funding.
"I guarantee you that in the next 10 years we'll go from 500 public school districts to 200 school districts in the state," Smarkanic said. "You will not see the North Schuylkill School District as it is, along with other local school districts, because financially they will not be able to exist. It's time for taxpayers in the state to get up and say something because it is impacting all of us."
The following recommendations were read by Smarkanic during the workshop.
North Schuylkill Elementary School
- Realign full-day kindergarten program to half-day, with the rationale of smaller class size, average 27 to approximately 20 per classroom. Reduction of kindergarten classrooms from seven to four, which will impact three teaching positions as a reduction in staff due to a program change.
- Eliminate one elementary art position. Transfer the position to the junior-senior high school due to recommendation of half-day kindergarten and change in elementary rotations. This would impact one art position in the junior high school.
- A retirement incentive has been presented to eight teaching staff members. It is anticipated that there will be three retirements in the elementary school: one art position, one classroom teaching position and one Title I math position.
North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School
- Realignment of the current curriculum for all students will impact the following teaching positions: Realignment of course offerings and restructure the classroom rotations for seventh- and eighth-grade students; eliminate driver's education in the classroom; eliminate English tutoring.
The impact would eliminate one physical education teacher, two art positions (one net loss due to transfer from the elementary school), and one English position.
- Eliminate the following athletic programs: junior high track, seventh- and eighth-grade football, junior high wrestling program, junior high cheerleading, freshman boys basketball program, volleyball program, junior high baseball and softball program, junior high boys and girls basketball.
- Close the swimming pool, which will affect all swim programs and physical education. A co-op swimming program has been arranged with Mahanoy Area School District.
The following recommendations will remain in effect from the 2011-12 budget year:
- Limit band and cheerleaders to two away football games, with exception of playoff games.
- Retain the rental fee to booster organizations for use of facilities to run fundraising stands.
- Pay to Participate Fee, which is paid when uniforms are assigned by coach.
- Physical exam fee of $10.
Other considerations:
- Eliminate all part-time security guards and reduce to two full-time security guards.
- Act 93 Level 1 employees, business manager and superintendent agreed to take a pay freeze for 2012-13.
- Early retirement incentive presented to three support staff employees. Two positions will not be filled.
- Eliminate local library contributions.
- Increase student parking fees to $25 per semester.
- All programs and personnel will be reviewed and recommendations will be made for additional furloughs that will minimize the impact on the educational program.