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By ANNE KAROLYI; Times Leader Staff Writer
Thursday, July 01, 1993     Page: 3A QUICK WORDS: W-B AREA OKS TAX HIKE

WILKES-BARRE — Despite protests from taxpayers, Wilkes-Barre Area school
directors approved a 7.5-mill tax hike for the 1993-1994 school year.
   
The new tax rate of 193 mills will support the district’s $54.7 million
budget. The 7.5 mills will add $900,000 to the budget.
    With the increase, the tax on property assessed at $3,000 will jump $22.50
to $579 annually. Last year, the board levied a 23.5-mill hike. A mill is a $1
tax on every $1,000 of assessed property value.
   
Twenty-one taxpayers — most from Wilkes-Barre Area and some from Wyoming
Valley West — protested the increase and bombarded the board with questions
about other concerns, including its noon meeting time. The meeting time has
been a point of contention between a small group of taxpayers and the board
for several years.
   
Taxpayers also protested plans by the school board to hire some retiring
administrators as consultants. At the half-hour meeting’s end, many taxpayers
booed the school directors as they left the room.
   
The budget passed with a 6-2 vote. Director Owen J. Costello was absent,
and directors Dolores M. Seacrist and Barbara M. Youngblood were the opposing
minority. The taxpayers cheered their dissenting votes.
   
“We could’ve looked a little bit further for more cuts,” Seacrist said. “I
think John Q. Public is fed up with it.”
   
Director Sally A. Jervis said the public must realize much of the hike is
from costs the board cannot avoid. The school district must pay about $330,000
to Luzerne Intermediate Unit for a new preschool program, and the district
lost $313,706 in tax revenues from commercial properties reassessed this year
at the request of their owners.
   
“That’s about five mills right there,” Jervis said.
   
Teachers also will receive a salary increase next year, the final year of a
five-year contract, Jervis said. The contract calls for an 8 percent increase
each year.
   
“If you were in business, you’d plan ahead for that,” said taxpayer Nancy
Kamp, of Wilkes-Barre.
   
The district saved about $2 million, or 16 mills, by restructuring its
administration after some retirements. Those changes included hiring some
retiring administrators, such as James Kelly, board secretary, and Robert
Moran, supervisor of buildings and grounds, as part-time consultants for $400
monthly. Directors say part-time employees save the district money.
   
But, some taxpayers protested. “There are no jobs in this area except for
the politicians, their wives, their husbands and their friends,” Kamp said.
   
The taxpayers also questioned the district’s plans for a new school in
Plains Township. Overall, however, the budget is their greatest concern, many
said.
   
“You’re taxing older people, senior citizens,” said John Forsell, of
Laflin. “You’re going to tax them out of their homes.”
   
Budget at a glance
   
District Wilkes-Barre Area
   
1993-94 Budget $54.7 million
   
Millage Increase 7.5
   
Taxpayers’ Increase $900,000