(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

The halls were quieter with the students having left for summer vacation, but the New Brighton School Board was preparing for their own final exam before break.

By June’s end, the board will approve a new General Fund budget for the 2023-24 school year, the details of which were revealed at their June 12 committee meeting. Real estate millage has been tentatively set at 73.9627 mills, with real estate transfer tax set at one-half percent. Three taxes–Per Capita Tax under School Code 679, Per Capita Tax under Act 511, and Occupational Privilege Tax–were all set at $5.00 each.

The only thing not established in the tentative budget was a final number for the amount, which superintendent Dr. Joseph Guarino says is a result of a similarly missing number from the state legislature.

“We still have nothing coming out of Harrisburg,” Guarino stated. “I think the House has made a little bit of momentum with where they are; but I know, for example, [that] the Senate is in recess this entire week. So, we’re still going forward and we’ll be talking more about it come the end of the month, when we get to that point.”

The board is also set to vote on a trio of contracts with KeySolution Educational Staffing, LLC for School Psychologist, Behavior Therapy, and other educational support staff for the 2023-24 school year. A one-year moratorium for the collection of Pay2Participate fees for school athletes during the 2023-24 school year will also be voted on.

Scott Sullivan is set to be the new School Police Officer (SPO) at New Brighton pending clearances, forms, and a vote at the next voting meeting; effective July 1. According to Guarino, the hiring of Sullivan comes as the New Brighton Police Department was unable to provide a School Resource Officer (SRO) for full operation. The position will be a 12-month position throughout the school year.

The voting meeting will take place on June 26 at 7:30 PM at the Little Theatre in New Brighton High School.