Sharpsville budget calls for no boost

Contracts were awarded for an expansion at Sharpsville High School.
SHARPSVILLE, Pa. -- The Sharpsville Area School Board voted Monday to enact a $12,322,296 budget for 2004-05 that calls for property taxes to remain at the 60-mill level.
The district is cutting a half-time Title I teacher from the general fund, but aided by a state Accountability Block Grant, it's able to add one second- and one third-grade teacher to help reduce class sizes.
Superintendent Dr. Derry Stufft said the grant program is expected to be ongoing.
The school board had raised taxes 6 mills last year.
The board tapped its fund balance (district savings account) for nearly $800,000 for the 2004-05 budget, offsetting an $800,000 spending increase and eliminating the need for another tax increase.
Demolition contracts
In other business, the board awarded contracts for the demolition of the fire-damaged South Pymatuning Elementary School and renovation/expansion at the high school. All of the costs are covered by the insurance settlement on the South Pymatuning building.
Rudzik Excavating of Struthers will tear down the South Pymatuning building at a cost of $85,900, and XPert Environmental of Wilmerding, Pa. will handle the asbestos removal at $95,150.
At the high school, The Hudson Group of Hermitage will be the general contractor at $904,600; Sheehan Plumbing & amp; Heating of Sharpsville will do the heating and ventilating as well as the plumbing work for $229,400 and $124,600, respectively; Penn-Ohio Electrical of Masury will do the electrical work for $215,873; and H Mak Inc. of Pittsburgh will provide the food service equipment for $156,561.