Mid Valley School Board adopts proposed 2024–25 budget, approves administrative realignment and school police conversion
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The Mid Valley Board of School Directors on May 15 adopted a proposed final budget for fiscal year 2024–25, approved an administrative realignment effective July 1, 2024, and authorized the superintendent and solicitor to petition Lackawanna County for appointment of additional school police officers and to convert a security position to a sworn school police position.
The meeting, held after a location change to accommodate a high school dance, began with a public comment from Don Heath Ledeta of Lackawanna Avenue in Oliphant, who raised concerns about agenda item E, the realignment of administrative positions. “I’m just asking about, subject e, realigning of administrative positions,” Ledeta said, noting that several assistant-principal positions appeared to be moved to principal pay without increasing the number of administrators.
In response the meeting facilitator said specifics could not be discussed in detail because of personnel confidentiality but said the district’s intent is to focus administrators on smaller groups of students and “to try to have more concrete focus on smaller areas of children rather than bigger areas of children within each building.” The board then moved and approved the realignment motion, which the agenda lists as effective July 1, 2024, with salaries set under the district administrative compensation plan.
Budget and finance
Missus Dixon read the board’s resolution on the proposed final budget for 2024–25, which as read included a levy described in the resolution as “142 mils (0.1558 mills per thousand dollars of market value)” and referenced local taxes and fees to provide necessary revenue. The board voted to adopt the proposed final budget for public advertisement and inspection; a roll call was recorded and the motion passed 9–0. Board members noted the proposed final budget will be available for public review for 30 days and that a final adoption vote is required in June.
Other votes and contracts
The board approved multiple personnel appointments (elementary teachers, a biomedical science teacher, and special education hires) effective Aug. 26, 2024, with listed salary steps as shown in the personnel listing submitted with the agenda. The board also approved a contract renewal with the Agency for Community Empowerment of Northeast Pennsylvania (Head Start) for the 2024–25 academic year, an agreement with the Scranton Counseling Center, an agreement identified as starting Aug. 1, 2024 with “Merricade Pennsylvania” through July 31, 2025, and approved the ESY summer staff list.
Several pay applications and invoices were approved, including: Pay Application #11 for $59,175.70 to O and M Multi Trade Bank; Invoice #2302212 for $239,652.32 to Mubarak; a pay application for $84,476.81; Pay Application #11 for $49,091.25 to G.R. Noto Electrical Construction, Inc.; and Invoice #001478653 for $1,175 for on-site construction testing. The board approved a PSBA insurance renewal related to federal unemployment compensation coverage for July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025, and accepted the treasurer’s report, bills payable, activity fund, and cafeteria reports as submitted.
School police and appointments
The board authorized the district solicitor and superintendent to petition the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas for appointment of additional school police officers and, upon approval, to convert the employment position of Brian t Conte from school security officer to school police officer “at the established rate of pay and in accordance with provisions of the Pennsylvania school code.” The motion was seconded and carried.
The board also appointed Anthony Barrett as board treasurer for a one-year term effective July 1, 2024.
What’s next
Board members scheduled a work session for June 17 and a regular meeting for June 19; they said they expected to review the proposed final budget during the public-review period and possibly adopt a final budget with adjustments at the June meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
Votes at a glance: major actions approved
- Approve minutes of March 20, 2024 (voice vote).
- Authorize superintendent to review lien request (motion approved pending paperwork).
- Accept listed resignations (motion approved).
- Approve listed teacher appointments effective 08/26/2024 (roll-call; motion passed).
- Authorize petition for appointment of additional school police officers and convert Brian t Conte (motion approved).
- Realign administrative positions effective 07/01/2024 and set salaries per compensation plan (roll-call; motion approved).
- Adopt proposed final budget 2024–25 for public advertisement (roll-call 9–0).
- Approve listed pay applications and invoices (various amounts and vendors).
- Appoint Anthony Barrett as board treasurer (motion approved).
The meeting, held after a location change to accommodate a high school dance, began with a public comment from Don Heath Ledeta of Lackawanna Avenue in Oliphant, who raised concerns about agenda item E, the realignment of administrative positions. “I’m just asking about, subject e, realigning of administrative positions,” Ledeta said, noting that several assistant-principal positions appeared to be moved to principal pay without increasing the number of administrators.
In response the meeting facilitator said specifics could not be discussed in detail because of personnel confidentiality but said the district’s intent is to focus administrators on smaller groups of students and “to try to have more concrete focus on smaller areas of children rather than bigger areas of children within each building.” The board then moved and approved the realignment motion, which the agenda lists as effective July 1, 2024, with salaries set under the district administrative compensation plan.
Budget and finance
Missus Dixon read the board’s resolution on the proposed final budget for 2024–25, which as read included a levy described in the resolution as “142 mils (0.1558 mills per thousand dollars of market value)” and referenced local taxes and fees to provide necessary revenue. The board voted to adopt the proposed final budget for public advertisement and inspection; a roll call was recorded and the motion passed 9–0. Board members noted the proposed final budget will be available for public review for 30 days and that a final adoption vote is required in June.
Other votes and contracts
The board approved multiple personnel appointments (elementary teachers, a biomedical science teacher, and special education hires) effective Aug. 26, 2024, with listed salary steps as shown in the personnel listing submitted with the agenda. The board also approved a contract renewal with the Agency for Community Empowerment of Northeast Pennsylvania (Head Start) for the 2024–25 academic year, an agreement with the Scranton Counseling Center, an agreement identified as starting Aug. 1, 2024 with “Merricade Pennsylvania” through July 31, 2025, and approved the ESY summer staff list.
Several pay applications and invoices were approved, including: Pay Application #11 for $59,175.70 to O and M Multi Trade Bank; Invoice #2302212 for $239,652.32 to Mubarak; a pay application for $84,476.81; Pay Application #11 for $49,091.25 to G.R. Noto Electrical Construction, Inc.; and Invoice #001478653 for $1,175 for on-site construction testing. The board approved a PSBA insurance renewal related to federal unemployment compensation coverage for July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025, and accepted the treasurer’s report, bills payable, activity fund, and cafeteria reports as submitted.
School police and appointments
The board authorized the district solicitor and superintendent to petition the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas for appointment of additional school police officers and, upon approval, to convert the employment position of Brian t Conte from school security officer to school police officer “at the established rate of pay and in accordance with provisions of the Pennsylvania school code.” The motion was seconded and carried.
The board also appointed Anthony Barrett as board treasurer for a one-year term effective July 1, 2024.
What’s next
Board members scheduled a work session for June 17 and a regular meeting for June 19; they said they expected to review the proposed final budget during the public-review period and possibly adopt a final budget with adjustments at the June meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
Votes at a glance: major actions approved
- Approve minutes of March 20, 2024 (voice vote).
- Authorize superintendent to review lien request (motion approved pending paperwork).
- Accept listed resignations (motion approved).
- Approve listed teacher appointments effective 08/26/2024 (roll-call; motion passed).
- Authorize petition for appointment of additional school police officers and convert Brian t Conte (motion approved).
- Realign administrative positions effective 07/01/2024 and set salaries per compensation plan (roll-call; motion approved).
- Adopt proposed final budget 2024–25 for public advertisement (roll-call 9–0).
- Approve listed pay applications and invoices (various amounts and vendors).
- Appoint Anthony Barrett as board treasurer (motion approved).
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