[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6544756,"mediaKeyId","3452758-5d55271dd134d22466c25f2237627992","parentId",3452758,"title","Middletown Area SD board recognizes students and awards at May meeting","audioSeconds",876,"startMs",67000,"endMs",943000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3452758-5d55271dd134d22466c25f2237627992&start=67&end=943","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3452758-5d55271dd134d22466c25f2237627992/thumbnail_67000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6544756/Pennsylvania/Middletown-Area-SD-board-recognizes-students-and-awards-at-May-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544756-28e4259301d14b17994b9a1eac56ee79/orig.mp4?Expires=1776481095&Signature=f0eIW4ccEgzd5ys5qz1IG-sYnhlrBPK5Nq1dS4kRG6t6yWquznmfXxmTp-d6AMmAHS~EHwKBIn8cFhKvfLw-bkIR76hoHuxTFbya5yfZaoNhS~NvkQW04O9foNyGkCo1OiGLGPZXPB-1q9lDvArSGU9ewaClnSEZwuB2~wC6qQpa9CC23o2E~n7t~UWNtQUIpAhLA1bhHxFoGOWgAcjTmm-AQfQIDiosDNqrpKJxhRmuNIiUPJZI8FKnv402nYUi-FSqvyeN~n-RxnN~UBG~DH6Necg38AXnj428SdHFLtgoQhwg8XDQAsQc05SZhk3hWgunZmQOPppuypblcoHxRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Middletown Area School District","date","2025-05-22T11:25:35Z","article","The board meeting included several recognitions of student achievement across the district.

Student groups: Kylie Hickoff, Key Club president, and incoming officers reported volunteer work in May including teacher-appreciation cards, volunteering at Reed’s Mini Thon, and staffing games at Kunkel’s Mayfair.

Valedictorian and salutatorian: A district administrator announced that Cassidy Pomeraning will be valedictorian for the Class of 2025 and Tyson Bomburger will be salutatorian; both were recognized though neither was present at the meeting.

Student-of-the-month and Pride awards: The board recognized Rotary Students of the Month (Ellie Lakites and Logan Cochran) and Pride award winners across grade levels: 11th grade Kaylee Miller and Issa Markert; 10th grade Aja Rossum and Robert Campbell; 9th grade Emma Buddha and Xavier Stout. Logan Cochran spoke briefly about academic achievements, community service and future plans.

Science fair recognition: Gifted teacher Trevor Davis introduced Rashi Patel, who won first place in the Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair in the computer science, informatics, and mathematics category for a Java program called PARAL C that analyzes risk factors for lung cancer; she also received the Harrisburg University Science and Technology Scholar Award.

Why it matters: The recognitions highlight student academic and extracurricular accomplishments and the district’s emphasis on volunteerism, STEM and performing arts.

Next steps: Students and award winners will be publicly celebrated; the district’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for June 5 at the Forum in Harrisburg.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MASD Board Meeting - May 22nd, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board recognized Key Club activities, announced valedictorian Cassidy Pomeraning and salutatorian Tyson Bomburger, honored Rotary students of the month, Pride award winners, and Rashi Patel for a first-place award at the Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair.","taxTitle","Middletown Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",41875,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6544761,"Board approves construction change orders, facility use and maintenance contracts; awards inspection contract for scissor lifts",382,3835000,4217000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3452758-5d55271dd134d22466c25f2237627992&start=3835&end=4217","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3452758-5d55271dd134d22466c25f2237627992/thumbnail_3835000.jpg","/articles/6544761/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-construction-change-orders-facility-use-and-maintenance-contracts-awards-inspection-contract-for-scissor-lifts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544761-508fb89fbf8c8c9d4147582ccc64d292/orig.mp4?Expires=1776481095&Signature=OaV1tSihKDaFZyQlv3bMKGgChHPTPpA~mXdlKkB3vQPQOzYwThQGRuNLnrphaGKqoWQv0957fUgC16ih8CxxipXomA0IwjCxnDRCcsBBXpyR3wspmKG3fYpB2pMnyYCU2pvGkqiCP~9O-WE-vLHT4nKSidImm-R5Pd68RLvgkqjUwRz2tvwrnd1xEStx5210S80a4VfIwKJm3x7D2wJ10m6zlG4fZFGy4NWa5rucoPK8hecb7qUQmWEcocwwtAR5Qds9~-vZ6MiU0gR9kHtQ3YKmrDQgLWsJrMAsDneVmYxVQR3wNzULvIykslVaSlxraONtjKoeN~fI0MomaWiQBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Operations and facilities items on the agenda were approved by the board, with the construction project team reporting steady progress despite recent rain-related delays.

The board voted to approve the change orders listed in the meeting packet for the district construction project. The change-order motion carried on a voice vote.

The board approved a slate of facility-use requests with one correction: the Middletown Football Bingo request will not carry a personnel fee because it will occur in the next school year and is the group’s one permitted fundraiser. The motion to approve the corrected facility-use listing carried.

The board also approved a maintenance agreement with Lift Incorporated to inspect and service two scissor lifts. The contract terms approved call for biannual inspections at $110 per inspection per machine with a 15% discount on the prevailing service rate.

Why it matters: Approving change orders, facility uses and equipment-service contracts keeps capital projects and scheduled activities on track and sets vendor responsibilities for safety-critical equipment inspections.

Next steps: Construction teams will continue work and process the approved change orders; the facilities team will schedule Lift Incorporated inspections and update the district asset maintenance calendar.","The board approved construction change orders for ongoing projects, authorized facility-use requests with a minor correction, and contracted Lift Incorporated to inspect and service two scissor lifts; the board also approved construction change orders and related immediate-action items by voice vote.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6544766,"Middletown Area SD board reappoints officers and approves new hires; board confirms athletic director hire",228,997000,1225000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3452758-5d55271dd134d22466c25f2237627992&start=997&end=1225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3452758-5d55271dd134d22466c25f2237627992/thumbnail_997000.jpg","/articles/6544766/Pennsylvania/Middletown-Area-SD-board-reappoints-officers-and-approves-new-hires-board-confirms-athletic-director-hire","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544766-507ea0ba0c3c83dc0f5963f1c29f71da/orig.mp4?Expires=1776481095&Signature=l4hqcYhIN9gJavRu7YcBjb29obMGm0PcQ5iOp4lNsbHjNK3nlS5WM1xAq~Gy8wZOPcZ0ZcmTvQR~mxf0TbpUwyMGBaSO1vtYRAxZojrqVp~s3IRMsHjanjnCwCSMRAe47qGijiQeAC~aRzL9xWfl7LhKmxJpWMVvW6sCeQpWGfC22lPdLUXntf-FVi6QAkoJhNi8gxcDSW2LwoKs2~kDAxzRAyqIurkKvP~WvTMoj0PrYK2vB86BKLS4fh-enTe6dIc50Z1YaQvGF-5GnYzk9xjaBzw48p54UPjaxzOV9hCMdTPI5pzGtt690sePei8G3BcZaVBHyRh4KcTZKJg0gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the meeting the board unanimously approved a series of personnel motions, including the reappointment of Andy Kinsey to serve as school board treasurer for the 2025-26 year and the reappointment of David Franklin to a four-year term as school board secretary from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2029. Mrs. Scott made the motion to reappoint the treasurer; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Human-resources director Tianna Carter introduced three candidates recommended for employment. The board approved the hires by consent: Rebecca Ahern as a learning-support teacher at Fink Elementary, Lindsay Albert as a third-grade teacher at Fink Elementary, and Trey Leach as the district’s new athletic director. Leach said he graduated from the district and described his readiness to begin in the role.

The board also approved a package of immediate action personnel items (listed on the agenda as items 16A(a)–16A(m)) by motion and second; the consent motion carried. Specific immediate-action items were presented by the administration and carried on a single vote.

Why it matters: Filling vacancies and confirming administrative officers affects district operations and governance. The athletic-director hire was noted in the superintendent’s report as a long-term investment in athletics leadership.

Next steps: New hires will be placed on district payroll and begin duties according to start dates set by Human Resources. The reappointments of treasurer and secretary will continue through the stated terms.","The board reappointed Andy Kinsey as board treasurer and David Franklin as board secretary, approved three new hires (two elementary teachers and an athletic director), and approved multiple immediate personnel action items on consent.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6544771,"Middletown Area SD posts proposed 2025-26 general fund budget; plan uses fund balance and proposes 5.1% tax increase",1899,1269000,3168000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3452758-5d55271dd134d22466c25f2237627992&start=1269&end=3168","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3452758-5d55271dd134d22466c25f2237627992/thumbnail_1269000.jpg","/articles/6544771/Pennsylvania/Middletown-Area-SD-posts-proposed-2025-26-general-fund-budget-plan-uses-fund-balance-and-proposes-51-tax-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544771-3189782b814f22fca12c1e0e2de235a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776481095&Signature=lUWje19HJgDs4YruTmwLoQho0fz2fwYV3tVlCRabLEiOrOCGUh8RNVZP0rxOYMCpILkFiWhT5rSONQDmxqdTHTlc5Tu8nVm0IF0s-irr58MwSMFylPapO-XRMmFwUMzR8z8qoFyVpOemR6G~IBMXPCfTB8lxfRwzD4TaAFwLN7Gg5mLbAuCi5CKqYdJKG4e~227ALeuhkjCtGOnpOb5BS-90Foi20eQbPvQTNrrC3B4zDf6t3~rmbIGm2Ve5XYD0wqA8Bkz9JMvsYy1XdGu-yqUJ4Wx51GktkmfGucXBCFl28rOB2P9h2DT7ksX7azcOrXo0mF84RjtrJvLfFkWxRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eric Fisher, the district finance presenter, told the Middletown Area School District board that the proposed final general fund budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year would total $64,879,593 in expenditures against $62,553,488 in revenue, leaving a planned use of fund balance of $2,326,106.

Fisher said the larger-than-usual increase in next year’s spending is driven primarily by added debt-service payments tied to the district’s MAPS construction project and by rising employee benefit costs. “Total salaries in the 25-26 budget are $24,100,000, an increase of $868,000 over the current year,” Fisher said, and he noted benefits are budgeted at about $16.2 million, a projected increase of roughly $1 million.

The presentation broke spending into five broad categories. Fisher said salaries and benefits account for more than half the budget; professional services, tuition and transportation, supplies and equipment, and fees and transfers are the other categories. Of the fees and transfers category, debt service is the largest single line item at about $7.8 million, an increase of roughly $1.4 million from the current year. Fisher said about $1.3 million of that increase will be funded from existing, committed fund balance.

Fisher also detailed rising charter-school tuition costs, noting that historical charter tuition expense for the district has climbed from about $223,000 two decades ago to an estimated $3.5 million for 2025-26. He explained that proposals in Harrisburg — including a proposed flat base tuition rate from the governor — could change future costs but that negotiations and legislation remain unsettled. “There has been a lot of pushback from the charter schools,” Fisher said, and the district is budgeting conservatively until the state budget outcome is firm.

On revenue, Fisher presented projected federal, state and local receipts. State revenue was projected at about $22.5 million, and local revenue at roughly $39 million. He said assessed-value growth alone (an estimated $10.6 million increase in assessed value) would generate only about $264,000 in new revenue; to balance the proposed budget the financing plan requires a 5.1% tax increase, which Fisher said translates to $126 per $100,000 of assessed value, with $21 of that attributed to debt-service costs and $105 to operations.

After the presentation and questions, the board voted to adopt the proposed final general fund budget for public inspection. The motion to adopt the budget for public inspection stated the expenditure and revenue totals and the planned fund balance use listed above; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Why it matters: The proposed spending plan would raise local taxes under Act 1 guidelines and uses one-time fund balance to phase in increased debt payments tied to capital work. The board’s vote to place the proposed budget on public inspection begins the statutory notification period before final adoption and gives taxpayers a formal opportunity to review the numbers.

Next steps: Fisher said the district will continue to refine line items before final adoption in June and monitor state budget actions that could affect charter tuition subsidies or other revenue lines. The board scheduled further review before the final budget vote.","Business presenter Eric Fisher outlined a $64.88 million proposed general fund budget for fiscal year 2025-26, citing added debt service for the MAPS capital project and charter tuition increases. The board voted to adopt the proposal for public inspection, which would use $2.33 million of fund balance and requires a 5.1% tax increase to balance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Middletown Area SD board recognizes students and awards at May meeting

Board approves construction change orders, facility use and maintenance contracts; awards inspection contract for scissor lifts

Middletown Area SD board reappoints officers and approves new hires; board confirms athletic director hire

Middletown Area SD posts proposed 2025-26 general fund budget; plan uses fund balance and proposes 5.1% tax increase