PITTSTON — Since January is recognized by school districts nationwide as School Board Appreciation Month, more than 20 students representing different school organizations stood before the Pittston Area School Board at its first meeting of the year Tuesday to thank members for their support. Representatives from extracurricular clubs, student body class officers and members of student council all thanked the board for the opportunities they have thanks to their leadership.
Afterward, students presented each board member with a certificate to commemorate School Board Appreciation Month.
Board President Dr. Frank Serino addressed the students and called it “one of the proudest days of my life.”
“You guys are what it’s all about,” Serino said to the students.
After the meeting was called to order, the board voted unanimously to adopt a resolution stating it will not raise taxes above a state-mandated maximum of 3.1 percent for the 2019-2020 school year.
The tax-limit vote has been common among boards this month. Under the state law known as Act 1, which legalized gambling, some money from that gambling is used to reduce school property taxes. But districts are restricted as to how much they can raise taxes without a voter referendum or state approval under a limited number of exemptions.
If districts vote to stay within the limit this month, they need not approve a preliminary budget until the end of May. If they don’t vote to stay in the limit, they must prepare a preliminary budget in February. The limit, known as the “Act 1 Index” can vary year to year and district to district.
By adopting the resolution, the Pittston Area board is certifying it will not increase property taxes by more than 3.1 percent, and a tax increase of 3.1 percent or less will be sufficient to balance its final budget for the fiscal year.
Serino noted this does not necessarily mean the board will vote to increase taxes when balancing the next budget.
The board approved Junior High Softball Coach Lauren Strelish’s resignation.
The board also voted to accept, ratify, and approve the following substitute teacher list:
• Paul Russick, Bio/Library/Principal/Science
• Kathy Butwin, Special Education
• Alyssa Mattioli, Special Education/Parent Educator
• Laura Trotta, Special Education
• Kristen Santey, Special Education
• Jacqueline Waslin, Special Education
• Audrey Roccograndi, Speech
• Marne Kusakavitch, Parent Educator
• Alexandria Fahey, Parent Educator
• Sarah Carne, Speech
• MaryBeth Pacchioni, Speech
• Tammy Silinskie, Speech
• Marissa Gribble, Parent Educator
• Bethany Weiss, Parent Educator
• Heather Prehotsky, Special Education
• Brianna Shishlo, Special Education
• Michael Capone, Parent Educator
• Laura Phillips, Parent Educator
• Jody Novitsky, Parent Educator
•S ophia Greene, Early Elementary
The Pittston Area School District’s Board of Directors meets the third Tuesday of every month in the High School library.
