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Armstrong School District passed over for stimulus funds
By LAUREN DALEY, ldaley@indianagazette.net
FORD CITY - Armstrong School District administrators are figuring out the fate of a few building projects after learning that about a half-million dollars of expected stimulus money won't be coming.
A state budget that passed earlier in the month combined what would have been separate revenue amounts for the district from its basic education subsidy and federal stimulus money through state fiscal stabilization grants, according to Eric Brandenburg, business manager.
``In essence we did get a basic education subsidy increase but what's included in that is state fiscal stabilization. They used federal stimulus money,'' he said.
Superintendent Dr. William Kerr said the district budgeted $543,000 for capital improvements, about half of what the district expected to receive in stimulus money for such projects. The district planned to use the funds to pay for improvements such as a facade renovation at Ford City High School and sidewalk replacement at Kittanning junior and senior high schools. Some of those projects started July 1, Kerr said, and administrators will check on how far they have gone.
``There will be no additional projects until we sort all of this out,'' he said.
The district originally planned to pay for those projects out of the general fund, according to Kerr. But the general fund was instead used to balance the budget without a tax increase this year.
``It's not Armstrong School District's fault,'' Kerr said. ``We don't have stabilization stimulus funds and we have to go back and rework the list.''
Brandenburg concurred that the district had no way of knowing what state officials would do regarding the budget.
``It's troubling. It put us in not a good situation,'' said board member Chris Choncek.
The district was allocated an estimated $3.8 million federal stimulus funds, and will still receive $643,000 for IDEA and $486,000 for Title I funds, which were protected from the state, Kerr said. Armstrong will also receive its basic education funding of $610,000.
In other business Monday, the board:
n Hired Paula J. Berry, of Worthington, as elementary principal at Dayton Elementary School. Her employment is effective Dec. 29, 2009.
Berry was a former principal at Dayton and is currently a Title I reading instructor at West Hills Primary in a Title I reading position at West Hills Primary. She will replace current principal Eric Ritzert, whose resignation was approved Monday. Dr. Frank Garritano, assistant superintendent, said Rickert accepted an administrative position with Karns City School District. His resignation is effected Jan. 13, 2010.
n Approved Act 93 Administration Compensation Plans for certificated and non-certificated administrators. The plans run from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2014.
There are 18 certificated administrators in the district that include high school and elementary principals and educational coordinators. There are four non-certificated administrators: the coordinator for child accounting and safe schools; assistant systems network administrator; technology coordinator and maintenance supervisor.
Dr. Garritano said the compensation plans approved a $2,900 flat raise for both groups and introduces a premium health care copay. The copay rates vary from $12/pay for individuals; $18/pay for husband and wife; and $24/a pay for a family, in the first year, and range up to $24/pay for individuals in 2013; $30/pay for a couple, and $36 a pay for a family in the final year.
n Heard from board director Choncek who asked to look at options for a traffic light at the West Shamokin High School entrance. Choncek offered his comments in response to concerns he said he heard after a school bus traffic accident at the intersection of Route 85 and 839 Oct. 22.
Superintendent Kerr said 11 students were on board the small bus and there were one or two injuries.
``For the most part, everyone was OK,'' he said.
Chuck Pepper, director of child accounting and safe schools, said that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation was approached when the school was built about a light at that intersection but the plan was not approved. Administrators about a month ago began the process of getting a crossing guard or state police to regulate traffic there during school pickup and drop off.
``We were looking into it at the time more to get buses in and out quickly. ... This accident just kind of accelerated the need for the process to get someone out there,'' he said.
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A state budget that passed earlier in the month combined what would have been separate revenue amounts for the district from its basic education subsidy and federal stimulus money through state fiscal stabilization grants, according to Eric Brandenburg, business manager.
``In essence we did get a basic education subsidy increase but what's included in that is state fiscal stabilization. They used federal stimulus money,'' he said.
Superintendent Dr. William Kerr said the district budgeted $543,000 for capital improvements, about half of what the district expected to receive in stimulus money for such projects. The district planned to use the funds to pay for improvements such as a facade renovation at Ford City High School and sidewalk replacement at Kittanning junior and senior high schools. Some of those projects started July 1, Kerr said, and administrators will check on how far they have gone.
``There will be no additional projects until we sort all of this out,'' he said.
The district originally planned to pay for those projects out of the general fund, according to Kerr. But the general fund was instead used to balance the budget without a tax increase this year.
``It's not Armstrong School District's fault,'' Kerr said. ``We don't have stabilization stimulus funds and we have to go back and rework the list.''
Brandenburg concurred that the district had no way of knowing what state officials would do regarding the budget.
``It's troubling. It put us in not a good situation,'' said board member Chris Choncek.
The district was allocated an estimated $3.8 million federal stimulus funds, and will still receive $643,000 for IDEA and $486,000 for Title I funds, which were protected from the state, Kerr said. Armstrong will also receive its basic education funding of $610,000.
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n Hired Paula J. Berry, of Worthington, as elementary principal at Dayton Elementary School. Her employment is effective Dec. 29, 2009.
Berry was a former principal at Dayton and is currently a Title I reading instructor at West Hills Primary in a Title I reading position at West Hills Primary. She will replace current principal Eric Ritzert, whose resignation was approved Monday. Dr. Frank Garritano, assistant superintendent, said Rickert accepted an administrative position with Karns City School District. His resignation is effected Jan. 13, 2010.
n Approved Act 93 Administration Compensation Plans for certificated and non-certificated administrators. The plans run from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2014.
There are 18 certificated administrators in the district that include high school and elementary principals and educational coordinators. There are four non-certificated administrators: the coordinator for child accounting and safe schools; assistant systems network administrator; technology coordinator and maintenance supervisor.
Dr. Garritano said the compensation plans approved a $2,900 flat raise for both groups and introduces a premium health care copay. The copay rates vary from $12/pay for individuals; $18/pay for husband and wife; and $24/a pay for a family, in the first year, and range up to $24/pay for individuals in 2013; $30/pay for a couple, and $36 a pay for a family in the final year.
n Heard from board director Choncek who asked to look at options for a traffic light at the West Shamokin High School entrance. Choncek offered his comments in response to concerns he said he heard after a school bus traffic accident at the intersection of Route 85 and 839 Oct. 22.
Superintendent Kerr said 11 students were on board the small bus and there were one or two injuries.
``For the most part, everyone was OK,'' he said.
Chuck Pepper, director of child accounting and safe schools, said that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation was approached when the school was built about a light at that intersection but the plan was not approved. Administrators about a month ago began the process of getting a crossing guard or state police to regulate traffic there during school pickup and drop off.
``We were looking into it at the time more to get buses in and out quickly. ... This accident just kind of accelerated the need for the process to get someone out there,'' he said.
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| ARMSTRONG: Student asks board to reschedule graduations | INDIANA: Superintendent leery of new state exams |
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