School board freezes taxes, raises salaries
More state money helped keep tax rate steady
By JAMES MOATE Endeavor News contributor

A windfall of about $123,000 from the state has helped the Cameron County Area School Board avoid a tax increase to finance the district's $10.9 million budget for the 2007-08 school year.

With barely a quorum present, the board last week approved the budget by a 5-0 vote and set administrative salaries.

Real estate taxes will be 42 mills. The district will also collect a one-percent earned income tax, as well as a one-percent real estate transfer tax and a per-capita tax. All of these rates are unchanged.

Cameron County Area School District will receive an additional $123,000 "in lieu of taxes" from the state, thanks to a tripling of that allotment to a new rate of $1.20 per acre of state-owned land.

Salary increases for administrators range from 1.2 percent to 5 percent. The new salaries are as follows: elementary principal, $81,544; high school principal, $80,114; assistant high school principal, $62,764; business manager $58,503; maintenance supervisor, $41,674; custodial manager, $30,628; cafeteria manager, $23,882; assistant business manager $23,573; superintendent's secretary, $23,700.

The board still must fill the following positions: district solicitor, secondary English teacher, music teacher (K-12), driver education teacher, elementary library clerk, two assistant girls' basketball coaches, and cross country coach. Acting Superintendent of Schools Clyde Moate said he was pleased to report that there are 14 applicants for the English teacher position and 28 for the music job.

Board members acknowledged the resignations of vet- eran English teacher Larry McGraw, who is retiring, as well as assistant basketball coach Matt McLean and parttime custodian Paul Haynes.

Directors also agreed to spend an estimated $10,445 to upgrade the security systems at the two school buildings.

Guy Ellenberger and Pam Burt proposed a change in the school's computer software. They said the district could save about $23,000 in upgade costs, but the change would require students to learn how to use a different brand of software.

Jim Markum reported that resurfacing of the athletic track will get underway next week. He also said that 13 rooms in the elementary school have received new floor tiles, and that the french drain system is almost complete.

In other business, the board:

--approved John Fragale's request to attend a strength and conditioning class at Juniata College, at a cost of $175.

--approved tenure requests by teachers Marilyn Deppen, Mary O'Connor and Mandy Bresslin.

--allowed girls' varsity basketball coach David Sullivan to use the high school gymnasium for open gym sessions July 16, 23 and 30.

--allowed the Cameron County Storm Football Club to use the football field for games in September and October.

--agreed to let volleyball coach Amy Schwab use the elementary gymnasium for camp Aug. 2-4.