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CLAYSBURG -- The Claysburg-Kimmel School Board approved both the 2023-24 proposed final budget that reflects a 3% tax increase and cutting one music instructor position during Wednesday's meeting.
Board member Mona Eckley voted "no" for the tax increase but said she approved of the rest of the budget. All other board members voted to approve the proposed final budget.
The 3% tax increase, which is half of the district's Act 1 limit of 6% for the upcoming school year, would cost on average $23 more per household and generate $93,000 in additional revenue, district Business Manager Dena Burket has previously said.
The millage rate for Greenfield and Kimmel townships will now be 9.05 and 10.87 mills, respectively.
The proposed final budget, which showed a deficit of $753,500 at the board's April 12 meeting, now showed a surplus, according to Burket.
In April, the proposed preliminary budget had shown a total estimated revenue of $14,487,962 and a total estimated expenditures of $15,283,462.
During last week's meeting, board members had discussed various line items and where costs might be cut, with board Vice President Jeremy Knott suggesting going over outsourcing maintenance.
This resulted in the 2023-24 proposed final budget showing a total revenue of $14,810,390 and total expenditures of $14,788,422, Burket said. With budgetary reserves of $100,000, the surplus is brought to a total of $121,948.
In other matters, the board voted 8-1 to approve eliminating one music instructor position at the end of the 2022-23 school year. This will eliminate the position of Matthew Stombaugh, who currently teaches instrumental music and band at Claysburg-Kimmel Elementary and High School, according to the district's website.
Board member Heidi Kennedy was the sole no vote.
Stombaugh's position as band director, which he resigned from in December, and his position as music instructor were completely unrelated, according to board solicitor Krystal T. Edwards with Beard Legal Group. His position as music instructor was affected because he was lowest in terms of seniority, she said, and the district will still have two music instructors.
Superintendent Mark Loucks said that concert band and jazz band are extracurricular activities and would not be affected by the curtailment of the music instructor position.
Board President Richard Gergely reassured those attending the board meeting that no programs were being cut and that curtailing the position could "lead to the programs becoming better."
The district is looking to fill the band director position, who would be in charge of marching, concert and jazz band, among other activities, Loucks said.
Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor is at 814-946-7458.