Residents ask board to release 2024 taxes for Baden Methodist Church; band parents press for earlier calendar approval

During public comment at the Jan. 21 agenda-review meeting, residents raised two community issues for the Ambridge Area School District board.

Alan Hazelwood, representing Baden Methodist Church, requested that the board authorize the district solicitor to release the church from 2024 taxes after Beaver County changed the church's tax status from nontaxable to taxable and later admitted an error. Hazelwood said the county had given the church an exemption for future taxes but that the church and its law firm had been seeking release of the 2024 taxes from district and borough authorities. "I am asking that the board give the solicitor the authority to release Baden Methodist Church the 2024 taxes," he said. The solicitor replied she would review the matter and the board indicated the solicitor would look into placing an item on a future agenda.

Bridal Dawson, speaking for band boosters and parents, urged the board to finalize the school calendar earlier, saying uncertainty about the calendar complicates planning for band camp and vacations. The board explained that the district tries to align its calendar with VOTEC schedules and that doing so likely pushes the board vote into February rather than January; the board said it understands parents' concerns and would aim to bring the calendar forward in the February meeting when possible.

The board did not take final action on either request at the meeting but directed the solicitor to review the tax-release request and administration to plan for the calendar item in February.

(Reporting note: public-comment remarks and board responses are taken from the Jan. 21 agenda-review meeting record.)