The Salisbury Township School Board met for a regular school board meeting May 10.

The board had many questions on specific items in the final budget before the vote.

The board approved the treasurer’s report but some questions were raised by Director Thomas Spinner in reference to monthly spending over the past 10 months and the possibility there could be a surplus of approximately $6 million at the end of the year.

Chief Financial Officer Dawn Nickischer referred to her year-to-date analysis from a recent finance committee meeting, which showed spending is on par with last year. Several factors play into expenditures in July and August including teacher salaries and lump sum payment options, reconciliation of transportation, Intermediate Unit and KidsPeace costs as well as charter school payments.

It may appear in June that there is a surplus but once July and August costs come due and are paid the money used will come from the $41 million in the budget.

The board also approved a flexible instructional day program plan which will be submitted to the state and also a special education service agreement with Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22 for services provided to Salisbury Township students in the amount of $185,685.

During the operations committee portion of the meeting Spinner called for the board to nominate a candidate for school board treasurer. Director Christopher Freas nominated director Laura McKelvey and the board approved unanimously.

The board also approved the lunch prices for the 2023-2024 school year.

High school and middle school lunch will remain $3.25 and elementary lunch will stay the same at $2.95.

Approval was granted for the fuel bid awarded through the Keystone Purchasing Network fuel bid consortium.

The finance committee was tasked with soliciting board approval for the proposed final budget for the 2023-2024 school year in the amount of $43,738,071 requiring a tax levy of 22.7 mills.

Board members had clearly reviewed the budget line by line.

Spinner called for an explanation of budgetary reserves and inquired why there are decreases in salaries and increases in health care expenses.

In looking at the maintenance budget he noticed a reduction in the amount from last year when there have been so many improvement projects that have not been completed due to lack of funds.

Nickischer responded she had looked closely at the maintenance budget with Bill Brackett, director of facilities, and there appeared to be discrepancies occurring over the past few years between what was allocated in the budget and what was expended. She noted there were instances of entries being made twice and incorrect amounts used such as $50,000 instead of $5,000. Also, amounts were budgeted for Western Elementary School for maintenance and utilities which were higher when in use and never reduced in the budget when it closed. These discrepancies have since been corrected and the maintenance budget is therefore lower this year than in previous years.

Spinner, after clarifying the budget was more than Brackett needed, asked, “Then why haven’t we used that money to fix some of these issues?”

Director Joe Gnall pointed out the queries raised by Spinner seem like less of a budgetary question and more of a management question. Owning up to the implication Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten assured the board budgets are being looked at more closely and with more frequency in an effort to resolve these issues.

Nickischer also said with the implementation of the Forecast 5 system the finance department will be able to make five-year forecasts, projections, identify capital needs and how to allocate for them. The board will have access to more information when making important decisions for the future.

McKelvey wondered what expenses are covered in professional and technical services, which had appeared to increase significantly and noted administrative professional services purchases had nearly doubled. Contracted services such as speech and psychology, Intermediate Unit costs, insurances, legal fees and software services fall under this category.

McKelvey called for a more detailed review of administrative purchases to explain a $170,000 increase.

Freas, in an effort to be transparent with the community, called for a summary page added to the budget which would explain some of the increases that have been called into question.

District administration agreed to compile this information and include it when the budget is up for public review.

Director Sarah Nemitz reminded the board of the discussion during the May 3 finance committee meeting to add a line item designating money to be put toward future capital improvement projects.

Fuini-Hetten proposed several options to redirect money into the fund, which the board discussed at length. Ultimately, the decision was made to move $15,000 into the fund and each year the board will make a conscious decision to allocate money for capital projects.

A roll-call vote was taken to approve the budget which passed by a one-vote margin.

Directors Carol Klinger and Sam DeFrank were absent and Joseph Kuzo, McKelvey and Spinner cast dissenting votes.

The personnel committee accepted the resignations of Gina Seagreaves, part-time instructional assistant, Salisbury Middle School and Tawana Hampton, part-time custodian at Salisbury High School.

The board approved a three-year contract at $90,000 per year for Ralph Lovelidge to serve as the coordinator of human resources.

Teacher Devin Kelly and substitute teacher Kathleen Kelleher were approved to provide instruction for the Extended School Year Program. Instructional assistants for the program include Bama Bhashyam, Kirsten Mohry, Sheri Mohry, Briana Lighting and Erica Holben.

Teachers and substitutes approved for the Title I Summer Reading Program include Lynn Jacoby, Constance Keller, Jaclyn Williams, Maryann Kelley, Dara Ackerman, Catherine Amorim, Jane Brennan, Heather Cumello, Lori Fortunato, Diane Kasaczun, Jennifer Kowalski, Kathy McNally and Susan Young.

Carol Monaghen will provide nursing services.

Substitutes include Kaitlyn Kulp, Nevine Felfel, Susan Knight and Morgan Young.

Emily DeOliveira was approved as the SHS cross-country coach.

In her superintendent’s report Fuini-Hetten reported she and Nickischer met with Pennsylvania Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-134th and discussed some of the funding challenges the district is experiencing as well as its capital needs. He anticipated the state budget would pass on time.

Fuini-Hetten also made the board aware May 10 was National School Nurse Day as she thanked the nurses and substitute nurses for all they do for students and staff. She noted there is still a need for substitute nurses so the many field trips throughout the district can take place. Nurses are needed to either attend the trips or cover buildings.

Fuini-Hetten announced students Elizabeth Sterner and Jackson Kramp have been selected to represent Salisbury School District as Colonial League Academic All-Stars. Recently a breakfast was held to honor each of the students selected from schools across the Colonial League.

Fuini-Hetten also noted there are many current job openings listed on the district website, www.salisburysd.org.

The last order of business for the board was to accept the resignation of director Joseph Kuzo as of July 1, 2023.

After the board voted to accept Kuzo’s resignation Fuini-Hetten thanked him for his service to the board noting it takes a great deal of preparation and time to be a board member and she appreciates all those who choose to make the commitment in an effort to make the district better.

The board will hold a finance committee meeting and an operations committee meeting 7 p.m. June 7. All meetings are held in the administration building, 1140 Salisbury Road.