No tax increase set in Sharpsville district

SHARPSVILLE, Pa. -- Residents of the Sharpsville Area School District won't be hit with any tax increase in 2004-05.
The school board introduced a tentative budget Monday calling for $12,433,350 in spending that won't require any tax increase.
The board had raised real estate taxes by 6 mills to a total of 60 in the current year's budget. One mill generates about $60,000 in revenue, and 1 mill costs the average residential taxpayer about $18.
The tentative spending plan shows the board plans to tap its fund balance (district savings account) for $793,643 to balance the budget, which reflects a spending increase of nearly $900,000 over this year.
Other major revenue sources include $4.9 million in real estate taxes and $6.6 million in state aid.
In other business, the board voted to revamp the administration for the high school and middle school complex after the announced retirement of Walter Karsonovich, middle school principal.
High School Principal Andrew Pollus will take over the principal duties of both the high school and middle school at no change in his salary of $81,207, and Kirk Scurpa, a physical education and head teacher, was named assistant principal for both buildings at a salary of $60,000 a year.
There were no assistant principals for either of the grade levels before.