Superintendent: state budget passes; district gets 1.5% increase, aims to expand CTE offerings
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Summary
The Superintendent reported the state budget passed after delays and that Tunkhannock Area SD will receive a 1.5% state funding increase — below the state average of 7.5% — and described plans to expand state-approved CTE programs to eight to increase Perkins funding.
The district superintendent told the board on Nov. 18 that a delayed state budget has been approved and that the Tunkhannock Area School District will begin receiving state funds for the coming year. "Overall, we received an increase in state funding of 1.5%," the superintendent said, adding that the state average increase is about 7.5%.
The superintendent framed the funding as welcome but modest: "Like I said, I'm not thrilled that we weren't treated a little more fairly, but I'm happy that the budget is finally in place." He highlighted extracurricular successes — fall sports, marching band and back-to-back district championships for the girls' golf team — and recognized staff service and military promotions, citing security director Rich Seberg and intermediate center assistant principal Kathleen Stafferoni.
On academic programming, the superintendent detailed proposals to expand career and technical education (CTE). The board approved proposed high-school courses for the 2627 school year, including Early Childhood Education 3 and 4, Culinary Arts 3, and Mathematics for Technical Applications, plus a revived trigonometry offering. The superintendent explained the district currently has five state-approved CTE programs and is targeting eight state-approved programs to broaden Perkins funding eligibility, which would create additional certificate and graduation pathways for students.
He also announced a Dec. 9 parent presentation at the intermediate center, featuring District Attorney Joe Peters and local law enforcement, titled "Why Wait?" The session aims to address teen cellphone and social-media use for parents of students in kindergarten through grade 7; the district will provide student holiday crafts and pizza while the presentation and a subsequent holiday concert take place.
What happens next: the district will pursue state approval for CTE course designations and proceed with parent outreach for the Dec. 9 presentation.