Vernon Township school board may shift funds

The Vernon Township Board of Education may look at moving some money out of the maintenance reserve account to cover unexpected expenses during the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

During the board’s work session Dec. 8, Finance Committee chairman Justin Annunziata said committee members were concerned that the district didn’t have enough funds to meet its obligations.

“We do, but in order to provide additional breathing room in this year’s budget, we’re looking at a motion to approve utilizing some of our maintenance reserve funds,” he said.

At the end of the 2021-22 school year, the Board of Education moved $500,000 out of the maintenance reserve fund into the district’s general fund.

If the board does that again, any unspent funds on June 30 would be moved back into the maintenance reserve account.

“It just gives us more flexibility in the budget for the remainder of the school year to ensure that we have the funds to cover unexpected that come up like out-of-district tuitions or increases in transportation or utility bills, things that increase beyond our control during the budget year,” Annunziata said.

School board president Kelly Mitchell said the first negotiating session on a new teachers contract is scheduled Jan. 5.

The board’s Student Life Committee plans to invite parents to attend its January meeting, Mitchell said.

The board approved the resignation of Brianna White, a teacher at Lounsberry Hollow School, and the appointment of Melissa Radke as an interim replacement until a permanent candidate can be found. Radke will be paid $61,393.

The board also approved the appointment of Eleanor Kielty as an interim replacement teacher at Cedar Mountain School. She will be paid $55,563.