Canon-McMillan Board Approves 1.59-Mill Tax Hike

School Board adopted its 2012-13 budget with a 1.59-mill increase by a 6-1 vote.

Board member Joe Zupanic was the lone “no” vote. He declined comment.

The board passed the real estate tax levy at 107 mills, or $10.70 on each $100 of taxable property. The new rate means the owner of property with a market value of $100,000 (assessed value of $25,000) can expect to pay $39.75 more at face value for the coming academic year.

The resolution said that a 2-percent discount would be granted on taxes paid on or before Sept. 30. Taxes paid after Dec. 1 would be penalized an additional 10 percent. Additionally, the earned income tax will be levied at 0.5 percent of income.

In the $62,603,756 budget presented, the school expects a 4-percent increase in expenses and the revenue required to cover those expenses. Enrollment increased by 107 students, and the cost per student is estimated to increase $263, bringing the per-pupil cost to $12,407 per student.

Price increases on school breakfasts and lunches will be going up by 25 cents this fall, the board announced.

The board also discussed that Washington County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Debbie O’ Dell Seneca has ruled in favor of the Canon McMillan School District, compelling the to disclose detailed financial information regarding its assessment appeal.

Board members said at Monday’s regular school board meeting that the administration was hopeful that this full disclosure would have a positive effect on the pending tax assessment the Meadows has filed against the school district.

“It’s important in a democracy for us to pay our fair share. When people don’t, all it does is transfer the burden to others,” board member Eric Kline said.

In other business, five senior students at least 18 years old withdrew from classes at Canon Mac. The board was advised that these five have not yet pursued a GED or equivalent thereof.

“I’m hoping we don’t have any for 2012-2013 … I feel bad for these five that withdrew or dropped out this year, but we should shoot for none … of course we want 100-percent graduation, but there’s those five families are really going to be behind the 8-ball for a while,” Kline said.

Tidbits:

• The board voted unanimously to approve participation in "In Canon Mac Community" Magazine for 2012-13 school year.
• Kline was voted in unanimously as board treasurer for 2012-13.
• There's a new line of French and Spanish texts for grades 8-12.
• High school graduation project exits have been moved from May 21 to Feb. 15, 2013 due to voting, trips, senior week and other complications around that date.

School District Accolades:

• The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary Principals selected Dr. Greg Taranto as the state’s 2012 Middle Level Principal of the Year. His name has been submitted to compete in the national MetLife/NASSP Principal of the Year.
• Boys’ lacrosse player Zach Simpson has been voted Western Pennsylvania’s “Most Positive High School Athlete” by Positive Athlete, an organization created by former Steeler Hines Ward.
• The Symphonic and Concert Bands both won first place at the Hershey Music in the Parks Adjudication. Out of the 17 bands in attendance, Canon Mac was the only one to win the Esprit De Corps award for school spirit, manners, discipline and best representative of a school district. 
• Katrina Lamoreau and Anthony Higgins are eligible for membership in the National Technical Honor Society. They attend Western Area Career and Technology Center.