Slippery Rock school board OKs budget with 2.5-mill tax increase
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — Slippery Rock Area School District’s board of directors unanimously approved the proposed $36.4 million 2023-24 budget with a 2.5-mill tax increase Monday, June 26. The increase is less than initially discussed.
The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay $35 more in school taxes than last year for an annual total of about $1,474.
The millage rate was 102.25 mills. The board discussed raising the rate by 3.25 mills but passed the 2.5 mill tax hike making the new millage rate 104.75 mills.
The approved spending plan has a deficit of $376,888, with the costliest expenditures being staff salaries, medical expenses and special education outside of school, said Paul Cessar, district business manager.
“On the revenue side, local revenues over the past year haven’t increased the way we’ve seen in the past,” Cessar said.
The board also agreed to begin discussion on restoration work of the iconic wooden barn welcoming passersby to the district at 101 Rocket Drive.
A recent engineering study of the barn detailed “framing deterioration” and “significant lateral foundation movement.” The barn serves as unheated storage space for groundskeeping equipment and materials. The board previously was told it will cost an estimated $300,000 to repair the structure.
David Smith, a Harrisville resident and 1978 alumnus of Slippery Rock Area High School, addressed school board members with objectives to begin the project. The barn stands as a landmark, he said.
School board president Vito Pilosi motioned to postpone disposition on the barn until the end of the 2024 calendar year. In the meantime, Smith and board members will form a subcommittee to begin discussion on a timetable for the project.
“This is a project that will take us some time. We would like to have until the fall of 2024 to provide a comprehensive report regarding all aspects of the barn restoration,” Smith said.
According to Smith, multiple community organizations and individuals expressed interest in coming up with a plan to restore the barn. Smith said he secured two bids from construction firms, and he is committed to painting the barn at no charge with qualified volunteers once the work is complete.
He stated that Slippery Rock High School Alumni Association agreed to partner in the endeavor, and that the project would be an opportunity to strengthen relations with Slippery Rock University. Robebeh Jazaei, assistant professor of civil engineering at Slippery Rock University, expressed interest for her engineering students to assist in restoration efforts, Smith said.
Smith answered board member Greg Schiller that he would be open to exploring alternatives if the project becomes too costly or complicated.
He suggested that members of the community and board establish a way to meet on a regular basis. Smith and the group of interested individuals will have the remainder of this year and until the end of the 2024 calendar year to come up with a plan to restore the barn, the school board decided.
“Money is tight, but I think speaking for the majority of people, everybody would be supportive of doing that with the timetable as such,” Pilosi said. “The only thing you just need to keep in mind moving forward is this is still school property. And we have to go through the correct vetting processes and insurance and that type of information.”
The high school’s boys track and field team was recognized for a productive season, as superintendent Alfonso Angelucci presented the team and coaching staff with a resolution celebrating their accomplishments this past season at the Butler Invitational and the PIAA meet.
“I just want you to know how proud you guys made all of us, just watching you guys compete,” said Angelucci. “It goes beyond athletic accomplishments, just the way you’re representing the district.”
Track and field coach Tom Meling noted the sportsmanship of the teammates.
“We enjoy winning, we enjoy doing that great stuff. But I want you guys to know that these are just great people,” said Meling. “I’m honored to coach them.”
