Residents of the Bradford Area School District will see no tax increase with the 2017-18 preliminary budget of $39,916,030, officials reported at Monday’s school board meeting.

Board members present approved the preliminary budget unanimously, with three board members, Pat Vigliotta, Helen Schuster and Dave Feely, absent.

The final budget will be voted on by the board at the June 26 meeting.

Judy Bodamer, director of finance for the district, said the budget is an increase of $1,408,145 and includes a tax rate of 22.12 mills. Bodamer said the average taxpayer pays $1,068 in school real estate taxes, which would continue if the preliminary budget is passed by the board at the June 26 meeting.

Bodamer said an anticipated shortfall in revenue is expected to come largely from lower state and federal subsidies and grants.

“The federal budget has not been passed yet, but it’s my understanding we will receive federal tax funds for the ‘17-’18 year,” Bodamer said.

“Our local revenue totals about $12.5 million, which is a decrease of $30,000,” she continued. Bodamer noted the $1.4 million needed to bolster the budget would be drawn from the $10.3 million fund balance. This would make up 22.43 percent of the proposed budget.

Bodamer said the anticipated retirement of three teachers at the end of the school year, with two replaced, is expected to save the district in instructional salaries, which make up 45 percent of the budget. The anticipated retirement of three bus drivers is also expected to save the district on staff salaries, as they, too, will be replaced at a lower rate.

“At this point, we’re planning to use our fund balance and do the best we can to control our expenditures,” Bodamer explained. “We’ll continue to apply for grants … and we’ll continue to review expenditures with line-by-line items.”

She said the district will continue to seek out community partnerships, think outside the box and engage in team effort.

The board also approved the capital reserve budget of $275,000 for the 2017-18 school year. An expenditure, approved by the school board later in the meeting, was for the $45,215 purchase of new stage curtains at George G. Blaisdell Elementary, Floyd C. Fretz Middle School and Bradford Area High School. It was noted that the stage curtains at all three campuses are old and in need of replacement.

In other business, Bodamer gave a presentation on Community Eligibility Provision funding that will provide free lunches to every student in the school district next year. The state-funded, four-year program is available to the district as 52 percent of students at the four campuses qualify for free meals.

In personnel matters, the board approved the retirements of Edith VanGorder, secretary, after 32 years of service; Frederick Proper, high school drafting teacher, after 17 years of service; Dennis Thiel, high school computer repair teacher, after 18 years of service; and Nancy Bridge, high school health professions teacher, after 27 years of service. The resignation of Kristy Moore, middle school teacher, after five years of service, was also approved.  

The board also approved the termination of a bus driver and a custodian.

In addition, the board approved the hiring of Rebecca DelPrince, school psychologist, effective July 1, at a salary of $51,500, with the cost shared with Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems.

Regarding student and curriculum matters, the board approved an overnight trip for seventh-grade student, Maddie Emerson, to attend the Fuel Up to Play 60 National Summit in Minneapolis in July. She will be accompanied by teacher Judy Abbey. Emerson represents the third student from the school to receive the honor of attending the national summit.

Jarod Piccioli, student council representative, also spoke to the board during his last meeting of the year. He said will be replaced on the board next year by student Regan Dolan, who was present at the meeting.

For her part, Superintendent Katharine Pude praised Piccioli for his work with the school board as well as serving as an outstanding student in the high school and community.

On a final note, Pude said the last day of school for students is June 1 with the following dismissal times: 11 a.m., middle school; 11:15 a.m. high school; and 12:30 p.m., elementary schools.