TimesLeader.com

July 2
Lakeland approves 2008-09 budget

Brittany Geiger Abington Journal Correspondent

JERMYN – The Lakeland School Board approved a budget for the 2008-2009 school year at a meeting held on Wednesday, June 25 in an 8-0 vote. Board president Jack Brennan was absent.

The $16 million budget sets the Real Estate millage at 87 mills, a 12 mill hike from the previous year. A mill is a $1 tax on every $1,000 of assessed property values.

In an attempt to cut spending, the Board approved staff reductions for the 2008-2009 school year “based upon economic reasons.” Both Tony Carito and Thomas Evans voted against the motion in a 6-2 vote.

Parent Debbie Wallace questioned the reductions during public comment. According to Vice President Edward Lubash, hours were first reduced. Some retiring teachers will not be replaced; aides have also been let go. From these reductions, the board expects approximately $110,000 in savings.

In other business:

The Lakeland School District has applied for a Project Lead the Way grant. The competitive grant, through Penn State University, enables students to participate in four engineering courses. “It [the grant] focuses on where our students need to be going in the future,” said Dr. Margaret Billings-Jones, district superintendent.