Twin Valley Trims $1 Million, Approves Tentative Budget

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After weeks of closed-door discussions, the Twin Valley School Board approved a $53.35 million tentative budget Monday, closing a $1 million shortfall with a combination of staff cuts, tax hikes and even a new revenue stream for 2013-14.

The list of staff cuts, previously undisclosed, includes furloughing a business teacher; not replacing three teachers – one full-time and two part-time – who have submitted resignation letters; not renewing two temporary teachers; and reducing a full-time art teacher to part time.  Also eliminated are 14 assistant middle and high school coaching positions and four assistant high school club advisers.

“We certainly would have liked to have done it a different way,” Dr. Robert F. Pleis, superintendent, said after the meeting.  “We don’t want to lose personnel.  That’s not our goal.”

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=477019

Manheim Township School Board Backs Fee Hikes For Activities

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lancaster County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Taxes will be going up next year for all Manheim Township School District property owners, but those whose children participate in sports and other extracurricular activities will face an additional tax burden.

At least that’s how Bob Geisenberger sees it.

Geisenberger, of Suffolk Drive, was one of four residents — two parents and two students — who complained about the school board’s decision to double student participation fees for sports and other after-school activities next year.

The fees will increase from the current $60 for an unlimited number of activities to $120 for the first activity, $80 for the second and $60 for each subsequent activity, with no cap on how much each student or family could pay.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/646170_Manheim-Township-board-backs-fee-hikes-for-activities.html#ixzz1uZrxIXNz