In what Wanda Erb, the business administrator for the Williamsport Area School District, a “historic injection of money into basic education” The district received more than $5 million in basic education supplements from the state for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
“If you recall, at the budget presentations we really weren’t sure what was going on.” Erb announced this to the school board at its most recent meeting.
He acknowledged that the governor’s proposal for education funding was phenomenal, Erb said, everyone said “Step back, don’t even think about it.”
When the district was due to approve the final 2022-23 budget, the news from Harrisburg was so positive that the board did not recommend a tax increase in the budget.
“I have to say I have never seen a percentage increase in basic education provided anywhere in the state of Pennsylvania, but specifically in our district, in my 30+ year career.” She said.
Of the $5 million, over $2 million is level-up funding awarded to districts with many students in high-risk categories.
State budget allocations for the district for fiscal year 2021-22 were $27,991,368 for elementary education and $4,885,526 for special education, for a total of $32,876,894. For fiscal year 2022-23, allocations were $33,918,915 and $5,164,948, for a total of $39,083,863. This is an increase from $6,206,969 for special and elementary education combined.
“So historical numbers for our district, a lot more than we originally budgeted for,” said Erb.
Erb said she believes state lawmakers “Heard loud and clear that public education really needs that cash boost.”
In other lawsuits, the board approved the settlement of valuation complaints from two commercial companies in the region. An appeal filed on behalf of Kohl’s Department Store at 251 William St. will reduce the appraised value of the property. The comparison is based on a market value of $4,390,000 for the property in 2022. The new appraised value is $2,677,900 for tax year 2022 only.
An appeal filed on behalf of PMF Industries, Inc. will reduce the appraised value of the property to $1,934,920 for the 2022 tax year only. The comparison is based on the 2022 market value of $3,172,000 for the property.
Other financial items approved by the Board include an agreement with the City of Williamsport under which the district will have its contractor pave an alleyway south of Cochran Primary School while the roadway on the school campus will be paved at the same time. The city then reimburses the county for the cost of paving the alley.
The Board also approved a three-year contract with Guardian CSC, York, for a water management program for the district’s heating and cooling water systems at a cost of $9,088 per year.
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