Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges board to post proposed millage rate; finance discussion highlights cyber‑charter costs
Summary
A public commenter asked why the proposed millage rate is not posted with the budget and urged a tentative vote; board discussion and staff explanations highlighted recurring cyber‑charter payments (about $600,000 cited for April/May) and the district's shift to paying cyber tuition directly to improve residency verification and recoverability.
At the Kiski Area School District meeting, resident and frequent commenter Patrick Leland urged the board to publish a proposed millage rate when the board considers its proposed budget, saying the public needs a starting point for understanding how the district would fund the proposal.
"Why not post the proposed millage rate? You have a proposed budget in front of you," Leland said during the public-comment period, arguing the board should at least tentatively vote on a millage rate when it votes on a budget so the community knows what to expect. The board chair and administrators responded that the district's budget process allows adjustments before the final vote but noted the concern.
Leland also asked whether a solicitor would attend the next meeting; administration confirmed the solicitor will be present Monday and will advise the board on implications of a recent Supreme Court ruling referenced by Leland (regarding a stormwater fee deemed a tax).
Board members and finance staff discussed cyber‑charter payments during the finance portion of the meeting. One board member noted the line-item payments for cyber-charter providers appeared higher than in prior years because the district has begun paying those invoices directly; an example cited at the meeting was roughly $600,000 covering April and part of May. Administrators explained that state reporting and residency‑verification changes prompted the district to withhold some amounts in the past and that paying directly now allows the district to better verify residency and pursue recoveries if students do not reside in the district.
Administration said per‑student tuition and total annual cost depend on placements and the number of students served, and that the district can provide exact numbers if requested. The meeting did not include a budget vote; finance and budget items were previewed for the upcoming Monday voting session.
Leland also urged the board to restore annual vote-and-record practices for lunch and ticket prices to simplify future audits and to publish salary information in minutes to aid auditors. Board members thanked him for the comments and said the solicitor will provide a fuller report Monday.
