The Upper Perkiomen School Board voted last week to limit the amount of any potential tax hike for the upcoming school year. The members unanimously approved an accelerated opt-out resolution during the Oct. 26 workshop meeting.
Terms of the resolution prevent the members from ratifying a tax increase for the 2024-25 budget beyond 6.6 percent, the index set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The board has not yet determined if a tax hike will be included in next year's budget, according to President Melanie Cunningham.
"It's too early," she said after the meeting that lasted 40 minutes. "We have no idea if there will, or won't, be a tax increase. We haven't started budget talks yet."
In personnel news, the members accepted the resignation of Barbara Harding, the district's accounts payable administrative assistant, effective Dec. 29. Member J. P. Prego thanked Harding, who worked for the district for 35 years, for her effort.
"She will be missed," Prego said.
The board also approved the resignation of Tina Shoup, a paraprofessional; Debra Ricapito, a food service worker, and Lauren Kuehlewind, the human resources administrative assistant, effective Nov. 17.
The board voted to appoint four new support staff employees. They include two full-time custodians, Bartholomew Guerrera and Gloria Keener – effective Oct. 6 – as well as Clara Guntz, a paraprofessional, and Karen Kniess, a cafeteria/playground aide.
Dana E. Hipszer announced the district will be adding an additional girls wrestling coach. During his extracurricular committee report, Hipszer said that administrators were in the process of hiring a middle school coach.
Initially, Superintendent Allyn Roche announced that an assistant to the varsity head coach would coach the middle school wrestlers after four signed up. However, new head coach Omar Porrata reported last month that 12 middle school girls have committed to participate.
Raeann B. Hofkin and Mike Elliott did not attend the meeting.
