SMETHPORT — The Smethport Area School Board adopted the 2019-20 budget of $15,630,379 Monday that keeps the real estate tax rate increase to under one mill.

The new rate is 19.27 mills, up from 18.64.

All other taxes, the per capita, wage and realty transfer levies, remain at their current levels.

Meanwhile, the directors also OKd the resolution implementing the Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion for 2019. The assessment exclusion is $10,025, providing a savings of up to $193.18 off the real estate tax bill for those who were approved.

The district will also use $16,704 of the district’s debt service designated fund balance to fund the new general fund budget.

The cafeteria budget of $609,527 was also approved. A la carte prices, which were $.75, will go up to $1.00.

In other votes, directors approved creating a social workers’ position for the 2019-20 school year, along with the appropriate job description, before hiring Megan Woods at a Master’s Step I level salary with a 196-day contract. A 2008 graduate of Smethport Area Junior-Senior High School, she earned a B. A. in social sciences and an M.S.W. from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

Superintendent David London said that a two-year Safe Schools grant through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will pay for this position, with the district to assume responsibility beyond that time.

In other financial news, the board tabled the motion accepting a donation, courtesy of the Smethport Booster Club for the purchase and installation of a new scoreboard at the football stadium.

Instead, the directors approved the motion by Dan Wertz that accepts the $14,400, providing the borough electric department installs the scoreboard and the warranty remains in effect without obligation to the district.

Near the opening of Monday’s meeting, Laura Lord, one of several Sports Booster Club representatives who attended the session, said that at an earlier meeting that night, the club voted to delay purchasing the scoreboard if the borough, instead of a contractor, does not take down the current one and install its replacement.

Later in the meeting, it was noted that the current scoreboard, which is more than 30 years old, was donated as a memorial. This memorial designation will be maintained with the new scoreboard, London said.

London, in his report to the directors, noted that the elementary and secondary principals are working on the STEM lab project and changes in scheduling at their respective schools.

Interviews for new teachers have begun and are slated to continue, with the administration authorized to appoint required personnel pending board approval in August since there is no July meeting.

In other votes, the directors also approved:

*a new contract for $30,000 with UPMC Cole for athletic training services for 2019-20;

*a donation of $200 to the Smethport Fire Department;

*the use of funds from the capital projects fund for purchasing and projects at both schools;

*stipends of $1,000 each for the school district secretary and treasurer; and

*acceptance of a $2,000 donation from the state of the estate of Albert Rossi Sr. to be used for a scholarship.