The Portage Area School District approved its portion of the Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8’s and the Admiral Peary Area Vocational Technical School’s projected general operating budgets Wednesday.

For the 2026-27 school year, the IU8 preliminary general fund totals $6.5 million, with the district’s projected contribution being $1,873.12.

Admiral Peary Area Vocational Technical School’s preliminary budget totals slightly less than $6.7 million, according to the meeting’s agenda. Superintendent Pete Noel said the district’s estimated per student cost is $6,258.50.

During Wednesday’s meeting, the board also hired Kim Hutsky as the district’s full-time school counselor beginning with the 2026-27 school year. Hutsky’s salary will start step 11 of the Portage Area Education Association’s current contract, according to the meeting’s agenda.

The board also hired Mary Ann George as the district’s Pennsylvania Information Management System consultant for a one-year agreement at a cost not to exceed $8,000.

The next school board meeting will be held April 8 in the elementary school auditorium, with the committee of the whole meeting beginning about 6:30 p.m. and the regular meeting immediately afterward.