The operations committee met March 2 to learn about district equipment in need of replacement and review progress on the 2015-2016 budget.

Director of Maintenance/Building and Grounds William Brackett presented seven items on his wish list, including: a new utility truck with a plow and electric lift gate to replace a vehicle out of service for four years, a new utility vehicle non-pick-up truck with plow to replace a 1994 Jeep Cherokee, a new large area mower, two grounds utility vehicles with ball field grooming attachments, two custodial floor stripping/cleaning machines, two custodial grout floor cleaning machines and one turf field groomer/ sweeper.

Brackett has four staff members who maintain almost 200 acres of ground across five school district buildings.

"We don't have $200,000 to throw around," Board President Russell Giordano said. "We don't have to own everything. We should contract some of this out."

Brackett said he has checked pricing on contracting services and they come in higher than anticipated. He said all equipment would be purchased through the state contract and the overall lifespan of the equipment is 12 to 15 years making this a $20,000 a year investment.

The board also re- viewed the St. Luke's Emergency and Transport service contract effective June 2015 through June 2017. The price remains the same for two EMTs or one EMT and/or a medic to attend all home football games and track meets with an ambulance.

Board members were advised the KidsPeace pool agreement for swimming and diving will increase from $67 an hour to $75 an hour which is approximately a $1,400 increase. The board members discussed researching other pool pricing in the past and KidsPeace was the best solution for Salisbury's needs both in cost and convenience.

Business Administrator Robert Bruchak talked about updates to the budget, one day before Governor Tom Wolf presented his budget for the state.

The proposed 2015-2016 final budget currently stands at $33,586,749 with projected revenues of $32,905,540 leaving a deficit of $681,209.

Superintendent Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss presented administration's top four priorities for the district, after being charged by the board to narrow a wish list of items to a reasonable number. The large list consists of previously cut programs, additional staff, uniform replacement, additional clubs and full-day kindergarten.

Administration's recommendations include full-day kindergarten, an elementary school guidance counselor and additional office support in the elementary school, middle school, business office and athletics and activities office. Another priority was for Keystone remediation tutors which was taken off the table because legislation has been introduced to eliminate the requirement for Keystone test passage to graduate.

The cost to provide full-time kindergarten includes $176,380 for teachers' salaries and benefits and $14,500 for technology and materials.

The cost for an elementary guidance counselor includes the cost of salary and benefits for $104,196.

Conversation will continue regarding the items on the wish list for inclusion in the 2015-2016 budget.

Board member George Gatanis would like to see the test scores at Harry S Truman Elementary School addressed in the new budget. He asked if larger class sizes and economically challenged students attribute to the lower scores. "What can we do to address that?" Gatanis asked.

Board president Russell Giordano suggested Ziegenfuss look into perhaps adopting a community school like many universities are doing.

According to the Coalition for Community Schools, a community school is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. Its integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities. Schools become centers of the community and are open to everyone – all day, every day, evenings and weekends.

Using public schools as hubs, community schools bring together many partners to offer a range of support and opportunities to children, youth, families and communities.

Upcoming dates regarding the budget include March 25, the deadline for the Pennsylvania Department of Education to rule on the district's petition for exceptions, an analysis of five year projections presented April 6, a public presentation of the proposed final budget May 4 and the proposed final budget adoption May 13. The final budget adoption is expected June 17.