Greater Latrobe School District expects to increase its annual revenue by more than $6,000 by resolving tax squabbles over four properties.
At its regular Dec. 14 meeting, the school board will consider settling the four tax appeals, each resulting in a revenue gain for the district.
“While they’re not windfalls, we’re happy to have them settled,” said Dan Watson, the district’s business administrator.
According to Watson, the district will see real estate tax receipts increase by $1,020 through a proposed settlement with AMERCO Real Estate Company for two adjoining parcels occupied by the U-Haul storage facility at Mountain Laurel Plaza on Route 30 in Unity.
Other proposed settlements for two residential properties will result in a combined revenue boost of $5,101, Watson said.
Masks required during court battle
Except for those with a legitimate medical exception, students will continue to be required to wear masks inside Greater Latrobe schools while legal challenges to the associated state mask mandate, brought by legislators and other school districts, play out in court.
A hearing was scheduled Wednesday before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Separate from those challenges, Gov. Tom Wolf has indicated he plans to lift the mask mandate for schools on Jan. 17.
People attending Tuesday’s school board committee-of-the-whole meeting were required to wear masks.
Assistant Superintendent Michael Porembka told the board less than a dozen students have joined those attending cyber charter schools during the pandemic. “We did not see a mass exodus,” he said.
There are 112 students receiving cyber charter instruction out of the district’s 3,911 students, according to the December enrollment report.
Meeting schedule set
During its reorganization, which preceded the committee session, the board agreed to hold most of its 2022 committee-of-the-whole meetings on the second Tuesday of the month, with regular voting meetings on the third Tuesday. The start time will move to 7:30 p.m., a half hour later.
Of course, there are exceptions.
In February and May, voting meetings will be held on the fourth Tuesday. In November, the board will conduct all business on the third Tuesday. In December, the board will reorganize and conduct its committee meeting on the first Tuesday, with its voting meeting on the third Tuesday. No meetings are scheduled in July.
Meetings are held in the Senior High Center for Student Creativity.
The board voted to retain Eric Hauser as its president and Paul McCommons as its vice president. District solicitor Ned Nakles swore into office re-elected board members Heidi Kozar and Bill Palmer and newly elected members Andrew Repko and Merle D. Musick, who is the son of board member Merle L. Musick.
The board retained Nakles for his 40th year as solicitor, at an annual retainer of $6,100. He told the board, “It’s a real honor to work with all of you and the administrators and teachers.”
Hauser said Nakles provides the board “the best advice possible” and has “always got your back.”
