LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County School Board Committee of the Whole convened Thursday evening to discuss the upcoming 2025-2026 budget and address ongoing tax collection problems in Burnham Borough.

Treasurer Melinda Kenepp presented the board with key dates and figures for the upcoming budget cycle. The Pennsylvania Department of Education has set the base index rate at 4% for the 2025-2026 school year, with Mifflin County’s adjusted index at 5.5% due to economic factors.

Kenepp outlined the critical timeline for the 2025-2026 budget process:

• Sept. 30, 2024: PDE notified districts of the index

• Dec. 31, 2024: Deadline for the district to notify homeowners about the Homestead/Farmstead exemption

• Jan. 23, 2025: Deadline to adopt a preliminary budget if raising taxes above the index

• March 1, 2025: Deadline for homeowners to submit Homestead/Farmstead applications

• May 31, 2025: Proposed final budget due (tentatively scheduled for May 22 board meeting)

• June 30, 2025: Final budget must be passed (likely at June 26, 2025, board meeting)

“If the board decides to raise taxes above the index, we would need to adopt a preliminary budget by January 23,” Kenepp said. “Otherwise, we can pass a resolution stating we won’t exceed the index.”

Kenepp outlined the potential impact of a tax increase to the maximum allowable 5.5%. Such an increase would raise the millage rate from 34.5215 to 36.42, generating approximately $1.5 million in additional revenue. This translates to an average increase of $69 per taxable parcel.

Board members expressed concern about the historical trend of tax increases in the district. Kenepp presented data showing seven tax increases over the past 26 years since the county’s last reassessment in 1999.

The discussion shifted to ongoing issues with tax collection in Burnham Borough. Board members voiced frustration over the lack of timely reporting and deposits from the borough’s elected tax collector.

“We got one deposit in August and no reports at all,” Kenepp said. “We sent a certified letter notifying the tax collector of fines for late August reports.”

Board member Diane Stewart questioned the whereabouts of uncollected funds, expressing disbelief that Burnham residents had not paid their taxes. “I find it very difficult to believe that the residents of Burnham have not paid their taxes,” she said. “So, what I want to know is, where’s that money?”

Kenepp revealed some taxpayers reported their checks had not been cashed, suggesting deposits were not being made promptly. The board discussed potential actions, including filing a complaint with the state Auditor General’s office.

“Can we ratchet that up a month?” Stewart asked, referring to the $250 monthly fine imposed on the tax collector. Kenepp explained the fine amount is set by statute and cannot be increased.

Board members debated the possibility of seizing the tax collector’s account or involving the Auditor General. Kenepp agreed to research options and report back at the next meeting.

“We need to do whatever it takes at this point,” Board President Mark Baker said. “Whatever it takes.”

The board also addressed concerns about interest potentially accruing on uncollected funds in the tax collector’s account. Kenepp promised to investigate whether tax collectors’ accounts are permitted to earn interest and who would be entitled to such earnings.

In other business, the board:

* Recommended approval of the following coaches:

Paid Athletics Coaches

– Alexis L. Tellish – 7th Grade Jr. High Boys Basketball Coach, Winter 2024 (24-25 School Year)

– Jordan S. Wise – Head 9th Grade Boys Basketball Coach, Winter 2024 (24-25 School Year)

– Robert U. Nulton – 7th Grade Jr. High Girls Basketball Coach, Winter 2024 (24-25 School Year)

– Brett M. Leister – Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach, Spring 2025 (24-25 School Year)

– Joshua D. Nichols – Head JV Baseball Coach, Spring 2025 (24-25 School Year)

– Richard F. Yearick – Assistant Track Coach, Spring 2025 (24-25 School Year)

– Shannon E. D. Specht – Assistant Track Coach, Spring 2025 (24-25 School Year)

– Jaime L. Reigle – Assistant Track Coach, Spring 2025 (24-25 School Year)

– Noah M. Fisher – Assistant Boys Tennis Coach, Spring 2025 (24-25 School Year)

– James H. McCarter – Assistant Boys Lacrosse Coach, Spring 2025 (24-25 School Year)

– Trystan G. A. Snyder – Head Swim Coach, Winter 2024 (24-25 School Year)

– Jessica A. Hardin – Assistant Swim Coach, Winter 2024 (24-25 School Year)

– Alexander J. Monroe – Assistant Track & Field Coach, Spring 2025 (24-25 School Year)

Volunteer Athletics Coaches

– Charles S. McConaughey – Head Bowling Coach, Winter 2024 (2024-2025 School Year)

– Sierra R. McConaughey – Bowling Coach, Winter 2024 (2024-2025 School Year)

– Hunter G. Wagner – Bowling Coach, Winter 2024 (2024-2025 School Year)

– Daniel M. Kochenderfer – Baseball Coach, Spring 2025 (2024-2025 School Year)

– David L. Quay Sr. – Baseball Coach, Spring 2025 (2024-2025 School Year)

– Kevin S. Reigle – Baseball Coach, Spring 2025 (2024-2025 School Year)

– Matthew E. Shoemaker – Baseball Coach, Spring 2025 (2024-2025 School Year)

– Floyd A. Ciccolini – Track Coach, Spring 2025 (2024-2025 School Year)

– Daniel P. Palopoli – Assistant Track Coach, Spring 2025 (2024-2025 School Year)

– Jeffrey L. Brytczuk – Assistant Boys Lacrosse Coach, Spring 2025 (2024-2025 School Year)

– Kyle E. Swineford – Assistant Jr. High Wrestling Coach, Winter 2024 (2024-2025 School Year)

* Recommend approval of the following draft policies as a second reading and final approval to replace the board’s previously adopted board policies of the same number or adopt as new: 609.1 – Continuing Disclosure, 906 – Public Complaint Procedures, 907 – School Visitors, 916 – Volunteers.

* Recommend approval to exonerate Diane Griffith, Mifflin County Treasurer, from collecting rollback tax on parcel 20,03-0119–,000.

* Recommend approval to exonerate Billi Weaver, Granville Township Tax Collector, from collecting 2024 real estate tax on parcel 17,21-0111,002.

* Recommended approval of the following drivers:

– Deborah K. Casner (Krise Transportation)

– Raymond L. Bartges, Sr. (Krise Transportation)

– April L. Vodopija (Krise Transportation)

* Recommend approval for Leigh E. Dalton, Ph.D., Esquire of Stock and Leader Attorneys at Law, to be a special counsel attorney for topics related to special education, student/pupil services, and student discipline for the Board of School Directors of the Mifflin County School District retroactively effective Sept. 27, 2024.

* Recommend approval of the Active STS Guest Teachers list:

– Barbara A. Barben

– Howard D. Houtz

– Kara Kauffman

– Whitney A. Reed

– Bronson G. Smith-Price

– Kasie L. Swineford

– Miriah V. Wilson

* Recommend approval of the attached agreement between the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 and MCSD for Special Education Services for the 2024-2025 school year retroactively beginning on Sept. 1, 2024, at a cost of $50,395.

* Recommend approval to add Overnight Outdoor School Nurse to MCSD Substitute Pay Rates at a rate of $325/day, effective Nov. 1, 2024.

* Recommend approval of Nicole M. Lewis to serve as back-up to the non-voting Secretary of the Board, fulfilling the duties as outlined in the School Code, effective retroactive to Oct. 17, 2024.