Thursday’s Phoenixville School Board Meeting in a Nutshell

Thursday’s school board workshop meeting teemed with information, though it included only one vote, with all other business OK to wait until next week.

Here’s a quick look at what happened. Some of these topics will be expanded on later in Phoenixville Patch, but for now, check out this condensed version:

Budget Vote Next Week. The $75.5 million budget includes a 3.14 percent tax increase and was notched down by more than $3 million since the preliminary budget was adopted earlier this year. The budget includes a pay for performance plan, a cut to library funding year over year of $21,000, 13.5 personnel position cuts and more.

Don’t think these numbers are final, though. Board members were asked to go through the current proposed final budget with an eye for change. They’ll submit amendments on things they think should change, and then separate votes will be held on those items.

Republican House Budget Not in Time. Board Treasurer Josh Gould said a possible of state funding wouldn’t be in time for PASD general fund budget approval next week.

“Nothing is going to happen with that in time for the budget,” Gould said.

Any additional funds that may come if the Republican House budget is approved will go toward lowering the tax rate in the district, Gould explained.

Library Funding on the Table. Gould and Board Member Jill Slawecki said they both intended to send an e-mail on a budget amendment to restore funding for the Phoenixville Public Library to the 2010-2011 level of $508,000.

A cut of 4 percent, or $20,000 year over year, . The library originally asked for a 6.19 percent increase year over year, and that was included in the district’s preliminary budget. Rebekah Ray, representing the library, said if the district cuts funding, children’s programming would likely be affected.

Furniture Bid Accepted. The board voted unanimously with two members absent to accept a $204k bid from SupplySource for furniture for the new administrative building.

A . The board then went back out to bid, and Thursday evening accepted the alternate bid option from SupplySource. A consultant and legal fees, costing the district an estimated $2,000 to $3,000, were part of the process.

Board Vice President Debbie Dawson said the original cost estimates were $319,000, and she thanked the administration for its due diligence on the pricing and furniture. The administrative building will open to the public June 28.

Yard Sale Alert. The district will hold a two-location yard sale to get unload some old furniture from the administration building. Some, not all, of the furniture will be reused in the new building, and the excess can be yours.

Additionally, a second sale will be held at a depot near Valley Forge Christian College. That sale will include items from Schuylkill Elementary.

The sales will take place June 27-29, and Stan Johnson, executive director of operations, said the hours will likely be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other schools are invited to attend.

Consultant Questioned. Mary Myers, president of the Phoenixville Area Education Association, questioned the use of Dr. Tom Compitello during the teacher negotiations process.

Compitello was the interim human resources director and was replaced with Keith Black in November. He was retained, however, as a consultant for negotiations with teachers.

Myers asked what kind of message that sent to teachers and the community as it made it look like negotiations could go on for another year.

Board President Paul Slaninka defended Compitello, saying he “saved us tens of thousands of dollars.” With “sparse” negotiation sessions lately, Slaninka noted that Compitello’s contract will likely only last for one more session, as it expires June 30.

Many Applications Received. Dr. Alan Fegley, superintendent, said the search for administrators is going very well. Some open positions have garnered hundreds of applications. Currently, there are six administrative positions open, including two principal positions.

“I’m very, very pleased with the number of applications,” Fegley said.

The next Phoenixville school board meeting will be held May 19 at 7 p.m.