When: Penn Manor School Board meeting, May 23. All board members were present, except for the chairman of the board, Carlton Rintz.
What happened: Board Treasurer Christopher Johnston presented a revised outline of the preliminary budget that featured “minimal change.” With figures from the Lancaster-Lebanon Middle Unit 13 special education contract factored in, the district is looking at an additional cost of $35,586, bringing overall expenses to $96.82 million for the school year. 2022-23. This, in turn, will push the funding gap up to $1.44 million.
Taxes: Johnston recommends a 2.64% increase in mileage, as opposed to the previously mentioned 2.57%, to balance the budget. This increase would leave about $308 in the gap that could easily be filled. Penn Manor School District’s current property tax rate sits at 17.523 mills, but the recommended increase in mills would bring it to 17.986.
What this means: A homeowner with an average assessed value of $198,815 would expect to pay an additional estimate of about $90 in property tax. The state property tax relief would provide $34.37 to ease the tax burden.
The next step: No action has yet been taken, as the board will vote on whether or not to adopt the budget on June 20.
Student meal prices: With eight affirmative votes, the board approved student meal prices for the 2022-23 school year. Johnston pointed out that there has been no increase in student meal prices since 2016. Elementary students pay $1.25 for breakfast and $2.35 for lunch. Breakfasts for high school students cost them $1.50, with lunch prices being $2.50, $3.50, and $3.75, depending on the option.
Recognize young talents: Students Nicole Chen and Grace Fafel were recognized by the board for their musical talents. Chen was selected as piano accompanist for the All-State Festival, while Fafel was selected as Alto 1 for the All-State Chorus.
Prizes and scholarships: Soon-to-retire Superintendent Mike Leichliter discussed the debut awards which took place on May 19. A grand total of $154,514 was awarded to 98 students through 127 scholarships, the largest being the $30,000 James Hale Steinman Memorial Scholarship. to Hannah Fogel. Sixty-six awards, including 10 new scholarships, were administered by the Penn Manor Education Foundation.
Early 2022: Baron Jones, superintendent of the high school building, gave details of the senior graduation ceremony. The event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 1 in Millersville. Jones said the district will “maintain the tradition” of having council members shake hands with graduates. The start will be in person and will be streamed live for those guests who cannot physically attend.
Next meeting : The school council will meet again on June 6 in the council chambers of Manor Middle School, 2950 Charlestown Road, Lancaster. Beginning in July, board meetings will be held at Penn Manor High School, 100 Cottage Ave., Millersville.
