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Committee discusses increased school support and vocational training; staff asked for detailed school budget
Summary
Committee members discussed options to increase support to local schools — including dedicated funds and severance‑tax revenues — and called for a more detailed school budget after a participant said funding schools ‘to the cap’ would require about $250,000 more than last year.
Assembly member Smith introduced the second strategic‑planning item at the Feb. 10 finance committee meeting: increasing support for schools and community programming.
Speaker 8, who met with the superintendent and school treasurer, said the school’s one‑page budget lacked sufficient detail and that “if we wanted to fund the school to the cap this year, that would require approximately another $250,000 over what it was last year.” The committee asked the school to provide more detailed documentation so the assembly can evaluate any commitment.
Members discussed possible funding mechanisms. Speaker 6 and others suggested a dedicated revenue stream (examples mentioned included a severance tax or a local earmark) to provide steady support rather than ad hoc allocations. Kim observed that current economic‑development taxes already exist and could be directed to programming “if we need to use it.”
Evan and multiple members urged pursuing outside grants and strengthening grant‑writing capacity so the borough can shift some support for programming and staff from local tax dollars to external funds. Jayla recommended staff gather more detailed operating and capital budget data for programs so the assembly can compare operating‑budget maintenance costs with large, one‑time capital expenses.
Several members argued for expanded vocational training as a local economic strategy. Kevin called for multi‑generational vocational programs to provide technical skills to high‑school students and adults, noting that vocational training could help diversify the local economy and provide local pathways to higher‑paying jobs.
Next steps: the committee requested that the school provide a more detailed budget and that staff return with options for dedicated funding, grant opportunities and potential budgetary tradeoffs. The item will be continued at the next finance committee meeting; no funding decisions were made at the Feb. 10 session.
