FACTORYVILLE - Lackawanna Trail School Board unanimously approved a $19.2 million budget for 2013-14 on Monday night that will see taxes rise.
The tax rate for the Lackawanna County part of the district will increase to 135.35 mills, up by 0.69 mills from a year ago. A mill represents $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Lackawanna County residents will pay on average $9.46 more a year.
The property tax rate for the Wyoming County part of the district is now 70.94, up from 69.97 mills.
At the public meeting, the only discussion about the budget came from business manager Dave Homish who said the proposed budget was $40,000 less than what had been approved in May.
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-âAppointed Loren McNamara as a long-term substitute; appointed Kelly Carey, formerly with the Pocono Mountain School District, as school psychologist for $70,000 a year; appointed Rachel Sapio as an elementary special education teacher at $51,810 a year; appointed Gina Cricci to a temporary elementary teaching position at $44,000 a year; appointed Susan Robinson as head boys' and girls' volleyball coach each with a stipend of $3,050.
-âAccepted the resignation of elementary school secretary Lynne Symons after 37 years of service; accepted the resignation of Andrew Kettel as head basketball coach and Michael Shields as assistant basketball coach.
-âReappointed Judy Johnson as board secretary and Michael Mould as board treasurer.
-âThe board also approved a revision of the high school student handbook, after an opening presentation by assistant principal Mark Murphy. Mr. Murphy said the collaborative effort with Principal John Rushefski was aimed at being more user friendly, and included new sections that address a bullying policy, a drug and alcohol policy, educational trips and weapons.
The handbook also addresses the presence of a law enforcement liaison on the trail campus and that person's responsibilities. The new handbook was approved unanimously.
-âBoard President Mark Lombardi also announced there would be a special board meeting Monday to address some lingering personnel matters.