NEW CASTLE Mohawk Schools offer $15.7 million budget

The proposed budget includes 4 percent increases in health benefits and employee salaries.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Mohawk Area Schools introduced a $15.7 million general operating budget for the 2001-2002 school year.
The proposed spending plan, which school directors looked over at a Monday night meeting, reflects a 4 percent increase over this year's $15 million budget and calls for taxes to be maintained at 63.2 mills.
Raises, benefits: The plan also includes 4 percent increases in health-care benefits and employee salaries and the addition of a secondary special education teacher.
The plan also budgets $100,000 for the purchase of two school buses and $150,000 for new lockers, to have the gym floor refinished and for other work at the schools.
"We haven't cut any services, and for the ninth year in a row we don't anticipate increasing taxes," said Edmund Retort, schools superintendent. "But we've made sure the staff has the tools they need to do the job."
The budget is to be displayed at the school for 30 days. School directors said they'll vote on its adoption at the June board meeting.
Contracts: The board agreed to pay G.P. Construction of New Castle $10,470 to replace concrete along the sidewalk at the auditorium entrance and make other repairs; Tom Brown Contracting of Lawrence, Pa., $23,800 to refinish the gym floor; and T.E. Nichols Co. of Evans City, Pa., $62,100 to replace student lockers.
The board also agreed to buy $29,004 worth of general school supplies from Kurtz Brothers of Clearfield, Pa.
Directors accepted the resignation of Toni Ullrich, cafeteria supervisor, who resigned to pursue another position.