Trending
A drop in the assessed value of the Logan Valley Mall was approved Monday by the Altoona Area School Board.
The mall had previously been assessed at $22.1 million, said Business Manager Camilla Houy. The mall's owners appealed, and with the board's approval, the value has been dropped to $18.039 million. That change will reduce the mall's taxes from $142,211 to $116,079, a difference of $26,132.
In another tax item, the board voted to reduce the amusement tax rate from 2% to 1.45%.
The change was necessary because, by state law, the district is not allowed to collect amusement taxes in excess of $46,172, Superintendent Charles Prijatelj said.
For about 10 years, the Altoona Curve was exempt from the tax because of overcollection, he said. The Curve is now coming back on the tax rolls, and that, coupled with Lakemont Park, the Escape Room and other providers who pay an amusement tax, would have meant the district was taking in too much, he said.
"Because of the way the law was written by the state, we have to lower the amusement tax so that we can only collect what we are allowed," Prijatelj said.
During the Monday meeting, the board also approved Brad Hatch as the district's new superintendent, replacing Prijatelj who is set to retire. Hatch's salary has been set at $148,000 a year.
The district will now look to replace Hatch, who had been serving as the assistant to the superintendent, said Paula Foreman, community relations director. The opening has been posted, she said.
In other personnel moves, Adam Czankner will serve as the acting principal of Penn Lincoln Elementary beginning June 6 until further notice. He will earn a daily rate of $318.37, prorated from the principal starting salary, minus holidays, which is $78,000 for 245 days.
In an effort to improve security at the elementary schools, the board approved a request to seek bids for eight new walk-thru metal detectors that would be installed at the entrances to those buildings.
The district will use grant funds to purchase the metal detectors, Haley Fleegle said.
Board member Ron Johnson said there are two metal detectors at the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center that are not being used, but Prijatelj replied, stating there are plans for those to be used.
Mirror Staff Writer Cati Keith can be reached at 814-946-7535.