SMETHPORT — The Smethport Area School Board spent considerable time at Tuesday’s meeting discussing the second draft of the 2021-22 budget that wipes out an initial deficit of $692,221.
In his report to the directors, Superintendent David London said the district is to receive three one-time grants under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Federal Funding grants that will help the district recover from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting recession.
Each of the ESSER grants is larger than the previous one. The district must show how the funding is spent before the state releases the reimbursement. The amounts and eligible years area as follows:
ESSER 1: $252,272 (2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22);
ESSER 2: $1,614,298 (2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23);
ESSER 3: $2,687,974 ( 2023-24, with a possible extension).
Funds cannot be used for state budget shortfalls without a state waiver.
Some eligible uses include: learning loss, hardware and software for remote and in-person instruction, summer school, building improvements to prevent the spread of COVID-19; and
continuing employment of current staff.
Smethport plans to use this funding for additional teachers for online learning; Math and reading instruction in the elementary school; and the hiring of a third grade teacher to reduce class size and maintain three teachers in each grade K-6.
Due to the federal government’s restrictions on how ESSER funding can be used, the district’s second draft of the preliminary budget is balanced by transferring funds from the Public School Employees’ Retirement designated fund, the district’s debt service designated fund balance, as well as a .42-mill tax increase, which represents an average of about $20 to taxpayers.
School directors are slated to vote on the final budget on May 3. Beginning May 10, It will then be displayed on the district’s web page and a copy can be viewed at the district administrative office.
Districts must adopt final budgets by June 30.
Commenting on the second draft of the preliminary budget, London said, “The ESSER grant money goes away, and if we don’t keep pace, we’ll face a big budget deficit in three years. A small tax increase once in a while is preferred to keep up with the cost of living.”
In other matters, by a vote of 7-0, with one abstention, the board approved the Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit 9 general operating budget of $1,135,255. Smethport’s share is estimated to be approximately $30,982.
Directors OKd an amendment to the Guaranteed Energy Savings contract with the McClure Company, originally executed on Feb. 12, 2018. This amendment, not to exceed $1,291,587, includes continuing work to improve the HVAC systems at the district facilities and to be paid from the district’s capital improvement fund.
