Connellsville board approves insurance plans, sets tax resolutions and authorizes short‑term borrowing

The Connellsville Area School District Board of Education voted to approve a package of insurance coverages, adopt tax resolutions for 2025–26 and authorize short‑term borrowing for certain restricted funds during its meeting.

Board members approved a workmen’s compensation insurance policy through UPMC Health Benefits for $164,354 with Arthur J. Gallagher & Company listed as broker of record, a cyber liability policy for $18,733 with Gallagher Insurance as broker, and participation in the PSBA Insurance Trust program covering multiple lines (school leaders legal liability $42,907; property/casualty $287,624; auto $19,994; law enforcement professional $7,500; excess liability $12,852) with MTI Risk Management as broker of record. The motions were presented by the finance presenter and carried without recorded opposition.

The board established the 2025–26 real estate millage rate at 16.2354 mills (as presented) and approved the Act 511 tax resolution and the Homestead/Farmstead exclusion resolution for 2025–26. The board also authorized the district to borrow from the general fund as needed during fiscal year 2025–26 to cover expenditures in the federal programs, cafeteria fund and career/technical center funds; that motion also passed.

Officials noted the homestead/farmstead exclusion will reduce approved taxpayers’ real estate tax bills by $268.16 for those who qualify, funded in part by additional state aid, as explained during the finance presentation. The board additionally authorized the business office to process requisite purchase orders and payments for the coming year.

All insurance, tax and borrowing motions were moved and seconded during the finance section and were recorded as carried in the meeting minutes.

The items were presented under the finance agenda; no separate public comment or extended debate on those specific motions was recorded.