The Columbia School Board adopted its 2010-11 budget at its meeting Thursday night by a 6-2 vote. The new budget calls for a tax increase of 1.013 mills for property owners in the borough.
The new milage increase property owners will see their taxes rise by $25.37 per $1,000 of assessed value of their property.
However, those who filed and received approval for the Homestead/Farmstead exceptions will see their taxes reduced by $284.63. Those exceptions amount to 2,234 properties.
Voting against the new budget were board members Ven Detz and Terry Doutrich.
The total amount of the district’s new fiscal year budge is $21,954,540, which will be funded from revenues totaling $21,219,756 and to balance the budget, an estimated one-time expenditure of $734,784 will be taken from budget reserves if needed.
Detz was the most vocal about the budget, reading from a prepared statement.
“I’ve heard on numerous occasions that it’s all about the kids! Truth be told, it should be all about the students of Columbia Borough School District. However, I have a hard time believing that to be the case when I see the decisions made by this Board over the last 3 years. Anytime you talk of tightening your belts, it’s a cut to the education programs for these students you’re supposedly here to serve. It’s a cut to the Curriculum budget or a cut to the Extra Curricular budget or the talk of pay to play sports, where does it stop when it comes to our students? The lack of funding for Special Education is the reason given for the ever increasing taxes and while we may be under funded for Special Education, there are other things under our control that would help our economic situation,” Detz said.
“When this action is approved tonight, the cost of this administration for a student body of 570 students in grades 7-12 will be $895,697 in salaries without Dr. Clippinger's salary accounted for until August, which, when added in, will put us over $1 million in salaries alone, throw in their benefit package and the costs soar even higher. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this is tax money leaving the Borough with very little if any of it being spent in Columbia as none of these administrators live in Columbia Borough. The salaries and wages that were negotiated in the last teachers contract by the previous Board giving 3.5-3.8 percent raises over the life of the contract and the proposed 3-3.5% for the support staff will continue to add to our economic challenges as a District.,” Detz said.
Detz after reading his statement was asked where he would cut the budget.
“Where would you cut the budget?” Dave Mountz, another board member asked Detz.
“That’s a tough call. Freezing salaries would have been a start,” Detz said.
“It’s not going to happen. Boards have tried that over the last 20 years,” Mountz said.
“Don’t you think all school districts in Lancaster County have tried to freeze wages. It just doesn’t happen. At least with the administrative salaries we have some control,” Mountz said.
“It’s though to do and things have been done, but we have to take a sttand,” Detz said.
“We did cut an administrator and positions in the instructional staff. That needs to be acknowledged,” said Kathy Hohenadel, another board member.
“Any increase will be a burden on our taxpayers and home owners,” Detz said.
Two citizens also addressed the board concerning the budget.
Bruce Murray, who owns Elite Energy, questioned the raises.
“The normal person isn’t getting 3.5 percent. If this continues, I’ll be selling my house and business and moving out of Columbia,” he said.
Frank Doutrich wanted the board to justify the increase.
“What do you tell a person on a fixed income? How do you explain it?” Doutrich asked the board.
President Tom Strickler said the board understands the questions about increasing taxes.
“We pay these taxes. We’re not exempt from taxes and we feel their pain,” Strickler said.
“It’s not correct that we (board members) are not part of the community. We tried to find the cuts that will not affect the kids,” Strickler said.
He suggested instead of speaking to the local board, residents address their concerns to their state and federal legislators because of the increasing unfunded mandates that are handed down.
“I wish everyone in this borough would get on buses and go to Harrisburg,” Strickler said.
Doutrich also spoke about the teacher’s contract, which was approved last year, stating the board didn’t fight enough in the negotiations to get a fair deal.
“You didn’t tighten your belts. It’s not all Harrisburg,” Doutrich said.
In addition to the board also approved the following administrative salaries for 2010-11.
* Dr. Diane Frey, assistant superintendent, $106,539.
* Laura Cowburn, assistant superintendent for business services, $113,125.
* Jennifer Zolenas-West, special education director, $86,449.
* Virginia Babic, high school principal, $83,423.
* Nathan McGlynn, assistant high school principal, $69,059.
* James Rhoads, dean of students/athletic director, $67,377.
* Michael Miller, building and grounds director, $74,823.
* Pamela Williams, technology curriculum integration director, $79,970.
* Jason Wise, technology director, $63,891.
* Michelle Westerman, food service director, $58,741.
* Deb Wallae, elementary principal, $92,300.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Detz' statement at school board
For the 3 plus years that I’ve been attending Columbia Borough School Board meetings, I’ve heard on numerous occasions that it’s all about the kids! Truth be told, it should be all about the students of Columbia Borough School District. However, I have a hard time believing that to be the case when I see the decisions made by this Board over the last three years.
Anytime you talk of tightening your belts, it’s a cut to the education programs for these students you’re supposedly here to serve. It’s a cut to the Curriculum budget or a cut to the Extra Curricular budget or the talk of pay to play sports, where does it stop when it comes to OUR students? The lack of funding for Special Education is the reason given for the ever increasing taxes and while we may be under-funded for Special Education, there are other things under our control that would help our economic situation.
The one thing that I’ve NEVER heard discussed except by me when I stood at the podium and addressed the Board, is the “freezing” of wages or the cutting of positions for our Administrators, Teachers or Support Staff. In fact, we’re going to take action tonight on administrative raises which when passed, will be the 2nd increase in 6 months for these administrators. We’re living through the worse economy the United States has ever known and social security didn’t receive a raise, but we’re willing to give our administration a second raise in 6 months time and this will continue for the next 3 years. When this action is approved tonight, the cost of this administration for a student body of 570 students in grades 7-12 will be $895,697 in salaries without Dr. Clippinger's salary accounted for until August, which, when added in, will put us over $1 million in salaries alone, throw in their benefit package and the costs soar even higher.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this is tax money leaving the Borough with very little if any of it being spent in Columbia as none of these administrators live in Columbia Borough. The salaries and wages that were negotiated in the last teachers contract by the previous Board giving 3.5-3.8% raises over the life of the contract and the proposed 3-3.5% for the support staff will continue to add to our economic challenges as a District. WHY do these contract have to be for 4 or 5 years, WHY can’t the employee be evaluated and given a fair raise every year instead of knowing that they’ll get their automatic, very generous raise every year.
The private sector has taken drastic steps to compete, including freezing or reducing wages, having employees pay for a large portion of their benefits and cutting the number of hours employees work in a week, it’s time the public sector does the same.
There are those who are making the tough decisions, Mayor Bloomberg has frozen wages for teachers and principals in NYC; the School District of Lancaster is cutting positions and a Superintendent in Montabella, Michigan who has been with the District for 40 years offered to work for free.(His salary is $95820 and the District refused, saying they’ll pay him something.) Expected savings will be $80-85k
We continue to burden our taxpayers with the rising costs of these salaries, well, it’s time we ask the administration, staff and teachers of the Columbia Borough School District to give something back instead of taking more and more.
We’ve got to look at Columbia Borough for what it is, a landlocked community with a diminishing tax base with little room for growth and stop trying to keep up with neighboring school districts. A number of taxpayers in this Borough who have worked their whole lives to own a home simply cannot afford a tax increase of any size without making the hard decision of whether they will have food on their table, the lights on in their house or even a roof over their heads.
I will be voting NO on the budget containing the 1.013 mill increase.
Columbia School Board hears enrollment report
At its first meeting after the end of the 2009-10 school year, the Columbia School Board heard a report on enrollment within the school district.
Special Education Director Jennifer Zolenas-West reported at last Thursday's meeting, that 56 students moved into the school district within the past year, many needing special education services. There were also 35 students who moved out of the districts and six, who dropped out needing services.
In other business, the board:
* The board approved use of the First English Room at the District Administrative Center by the Columbia-Middletown Elks Lodge on Nov. 14 for a district meeting.
* Approved use of the CHS Auditorium, Sept. 30 from 6-9 p.m. for a public presentation on Columboa's Strategic Economic Development Plan.
* Denied awarding a contract for the exterior painting of the district's Administrative Center.
* Accepted the resignations of Amy Greenfield, high school chemistry teacher; Maren Crucitt, elementary kindergarten teacher; James Jones, junior high westling coach and Kelly Santoro, junior high cheerleading coach.
* Hired Tina Warfel as substitute summer school teacher; Robin Youn, safey patrol and student council advisor at Taylor; Bonnie Miller, technology liason, Taylor; John Moody and Daniel Young, junior high football coaches; Danielle Diaz, assistant junior high football coach and Brian Brown, assistant junior high boys' basketball coach.
* Approved the transfer of Brenda Terry from literacy coach to kindergarten teacher.
* Approved the support staff handbook,effective through June 30, 2014.
* Approved a base value format to calculate support staff salaries for the 2010-2011 school year.
* Approved continuation of the football booster club and elementary student activity account.
Special Education Director Jennifer Zolenas-West reported at last Thursday's meeting, that 56 students moved into the school district within the past year, many needing special education services. There were also 35 students who moved out of the districts and six, who dropped out needing services.
In other business, the board:
* The board approved use of the First English Room at the District Administrative Center by the Columbia-Middletown Elks Lodge on Nov. 14 for a district meeting.
* Approved use of the CHS Auditorium, Sept. 30 from 6-9 p.m. for a public presentation on Columboa's Strategic Economic Development Plan.
* Denied awarding a contract for the exterior painting of the district's Administrative Center.
* Accepted the resignations of Amy Greenfield, high school chemistry teacher; Maren Crucitt, elementary kindergarten teacher; James Jones, junior high westling coach and Kelly Santoro, junior high cheerleading coach.
* Hired Tina Warfel as substitute summer school teacher; Robin Youn, safey patrol and student council advisor at Taylor; Bonnie Miller, technology liason, Taylor; John Moody and Daniel Young, junior high football coaches; Danielle Diaz, assistant junior high football coach and Brian Brown, assistant junior high boys' basketball coach.
* Approved the transfer of Brenda Terry from literacy coach to kindergarten teacher.
* Approved the support staff handbook,effective through June 30, 2014.
* Approved a base value format to calculate support staff salaries for the 2010-2011 school year.
* Approved continuation of the football booster club and elementary student activity account.
Police called for fight
Letter sent to council president
Received this letter from resident and former council president Tim Swartz, which he sent to current council president Mary Wickenheiser today.
As a member of the audience in the Council chambers I must share my concerns regarding the June 14th Council meeting. I found it very disturbing the exchange of dialogue between a citizen and you, the Council President. It was unprofessional on your part to talk down to a citizen as you commonly do. When any citizen stands before a Council their purpose is by and large, someone seeking answers to a question. To be told to sit down and your questions will be answered is demeaning.
It comes across as though you have better things to do rather than be bothered by a taxpayer. The body language displayed by certain elected officials was so noticeable and the side bar comments that so often happen while a citizen is asking questions is unbecoming of any public official.
Regardless of who stands in front of Council and certain remarks are made, elected members must toughen it out. Mr. Doutrich’s leading off comment and your reaction set the tone for the evening. In my opinion the lack of leadership prevailed over the entire meeting. One should always address in an appropriate manner. In return, the governing body should display professional mannerisms.
As you well know, there have been many new faces coming to Council meetings for a number of reasons. Some off the comments related to that meeting by in large were not favorable ones. Words used to describe the meeting such as lack of leadership; circus atmosphere and the lack of knowledge on issues were commonly brought out.
As a former Council President, it was my approach to have each and every member of Council respond to a citizen’s question relating to his or her committee. My purpose was to hold members of Council responsible to their constituents. It almost seems as though every question is answered by the Borough Manager or the Mayor.
So I truly ask the question. Who really runs this Borough? Public perception clearly tilts away from Council. With that being said, a true remedy in my opinion is change. That’s coming in the year 2011. Not soon enough quite frankly.
I want to briefly mention two action items that come to mind. The last property meeting the gavel was passed to you. The explanation from you was that the Chair was inexperienced to run this meeting. This is six months into her term? I believe as others do, you talked her into this. Perhaps your ability to appoint, needs some guidance.
The motion on the floor to purchase two new police vehicles is a perfect example of not knowing what to do. All motions were made and the discussion among Council members was excellent. As soon as Council knew the motion wasn’t going to pass, another member of Council wanted to rescind her second. As Council President I would have thought you knew this was not possible and it was an up and down vote. However, you relied once again on someone else, the Solicitor. I question if you know procedure on how to run meetings.
Please view my comments as constructive criticism. I would not want the few good members of Council to be brought down by poor leadership. I often praise Mary Barninger and Kelly Murphy on how their committees are conducted. Openness and transparency along with their ability to make the citizens a part of the end result. Make no mistake, when I was in your position it wasn’t an easy one. Don’t make it any harder by setting your tone as the only one.
Regards,
Tim Swartz
As a member of the audience in the Council chambers I must share my concerns regarding the June 14th Council meeting. I found it very disturbing the exchange of dialogue between a citizen and you, the Council President. It was unprofessional on your part to talk down to a citizen as you commonly do. When any citizen stands before a Council their purpose is by and large, someone seeking answers to a question. To be told to sit down and your questions will be answered is demeaning.
It comes across as though you have better things to do rather than be bothered by a taxpayer. The body language displayed by certain elected officials was so noticeable and the side bar comments that so often happen while a citizen is asking questions is unbecoming of any public official.
Regardless of who stands in front of Council and certain remarks are made, elected members must toughen it out. Mr. Doutrich’s leading off comment and your reaction set the tone for the evening. In my opinion the lack of leadership prevailed over the entire meeting. One should always address in an appropriate manner. In return, the governing body should display professional mannerisms.
As you well know, there have been many new faces coming to Council meetings for a number of reasons. Some off the comments related to that meeting by in large were not favorable ones. Words used to describe the meeting such as lack of leadership; circus atmosphere and the lack of knowledge on issues were commonly brought out.
As a former Council President, it was my approach to have each and every member of Council respond to a citizen’s question relating to his or her committee. My purpose was to hold members of Council responsible to their constituents. It almost seems as though every question is answered by the Borough Manager or the Mayor.
So I truly ask the question. Who really runs this Borough? Public perception clearly tilts away from Council. With that being said, a true remedy in my opinion is change. That’s coming in the year 2011. Not soon enough quite frankly.
I want to briefly mention two action items that come to mind. The last property meeting the gavel was passed to you. The explanation from you was that the Chair was inexperienced to run this meeting. This is six months into her term? I believe as others do, you talked her into this. Perhaps your ability to appoint, needs some guidance.
The motion on the floor to purchase two new police vehicles is a perfect example of not knowing what to do. All motions were made and the discussion among Council members was excellent. As soon as Council knew the motion wasn’t going to pass, another member of Council wanted to rescind her second. As Council President I would have thought you knew this was not possible and it was an up and down vote. However, you relied once again on someone else, the Solicitor. I question if you know procedure on how to run meetings.
Please view my comments as constructive criticism. I would not want the few good members of Council to be brought down by poor leadership. I often praise Mary Barninger and Kelly Murphy on how their committees are conducted. Openness and transparency along with their ability to make the citizens a part of the end result. Make no mistake, when I was in your position it wasn’t an easy one. Don’t make it any harder by setting your tone as the only one.
Regards,
Tim Swartz
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