The Spring Cove school board voted to raise taxes to help offset a budget deficit and approved the district’s business manager to act as superintendent while the district searches to replace soon-to-retire Superintendent Betsy Baker.

During Monday’s meeting, the board voted 6-3 to adopt a 2% tax increase, with 1% going toward the long-term building project fund for future facility consolidation plans, and the remaining 1% going toward the general fund to offset a more than $2 million deficit.

All board members except Andrea Moses, Erika Smith and Kevin Smith voted in favor of setting the new tax rate at 11.8887 mills.

In a 7-2 vote, the board also approved the district’s general fund budget for the 2026-27 school year, with expenditures totaling $34,419,980 and revenues totaling $32,099,955.

Board members Andrea Moses and Erika Smith were the only dissenting votes for the budget.

According to Foor, the average assessed property value of $143,350 will see a $33.42 increase in taxes.

Ongoing search for superintendent

The board unanimously approved business manager Steven Foor as acting superintendent until June 30, 2027, or until the district selects a new superintendent.

Foor was also appointed as board secretary through June 30, 2032, with no remuneration.

“There’s a great foundation here, so I felt I could help the district out in this transitional period,” Foor said about stepping into the superintendent role.

According to the agenda, Foor is set to serve as superintendent for three days a week at a weekly rate of $450.

He said the superintendent role will be filled on an as-needed basis during the district’s transitional period, as it’s going to be difficult to balance both jobs.

“Ultimately, both jobs are full-time jobs, so it is going to be very hard,” he said. “I just want what’s best for this school district, so we’ll work through that transition and do what’s best for the school district.”

After the meeting, board President Amy Acker-Knisely said that the district has again advertised the superintendent position.

The board didn’t rehire the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools to help with the district’s second search. Instead, Acker-Knisely said the board is continuing the process in-house.

Also at Monday’s meeting, seven board members voted to approve advertising the open superintendent’s position with the Pennsylvania School Board Association, with members Kevin Smith and Misti Fisher voting in opposition.

Baker is set to retire at the end of the 2025-26 school year. Her last day is slated for June 30.

Baker attended her last school board meeting Monday where some of her coworkers and family members filled the back of the boardroom. District public relations coordinator Lori Thompson said Baker’s an administrator who is deeply committed to what’s best for her students, staff and district.

Speaking at the podium before the board, Thompson said Baker “is dedicated, fair, consistent and one of the hardest working people I have ever met.”

Thompson also praised Baker’s ability to problem solve, commending her calm confidence, which has been invaluable to those who’ve worked alongside her.

“Thank you for all that you’ve done for Spring Cove,” Thompson said to Baker.

At the end of the meeting, Acker-Knisely attempted to read her send-off message to Baker, but teared up before she started and handed her message to board member Troy Wright, who read the letter to the board.

Working with Baker for 10 years during school board meetings, Acker-Knisely wrote that she wished Baker happiness and good health in the future.

“The retirement marks the end of one chapter, the impact you made will continue to shape generations to come, because once a Dragon, always a Dragon,” the statement said, referring to the school’s mascot.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.