Burrell merges athletic and facilities director positions, furloughs 1 as district assesses tax hike

In an effort to save money, Burrell School District officials have combined two administration jobs, creating a new position to oversee its athletics department and building operations.

The school board on Tuesday appointed Brian Ferra as director of athletics and building operations. The district eliminated the facilities director position held by John Rowe, who will be furloughed.

Ferra, currently principal of Stewart Elementary School, has been interim athletic director since Drake D’Angelo left for a job in the Greensburg Salem School District in February. Ferra starts his new position July 1.

Ferra’s salary, $130,516, will not be adjusted.

The move saves the district $140,000, said Superintendent Shannon Wagner. She pointed out the savings is nearly a mill’s worth of taxes.

A mill in Burrell brings in roughly $151,000, said Jennifer Callahan, the district’s business manager.

“We’re trying to be fiscally responsible,” Wagner said.

In his new role, Ferra will oversee athletics and day-to-day school grounds and custodial staff.

“It’ll be a new challenge,” Ferra said.

Wagner will absorb maintenance responsibilities, including repairs and projects.

The realignment comes as the district considers a 6.5-mill tax increase in its upcoming budget.

Budget concerns

The proposed budget for the 2024-25 school year totals $36.5 million, Callahan said.

To offset the district’s operating costs, 4.5 mills of taxes are needed. Two mills would be for future bond payments for capital improvements and construction that could include adding classrooms to Bon Air Elementary School and updating the district’s HVAC systems.

The additional space would be needed if the district moves forward with plans to close Stewart after the 2024-25 school year. The board scheduled a June 25 public hearing to discuss the closure.

Wagner said she plans to rearrange district administrators to cover the principal position at Stewart next school year.

Doing so would be more responsible, she said, than hiring someone for the job, given the possibility of the school closing.

Administrators have cited declining enrollment and outdated building infrastructure as reasons for a possible closure.

Ferra has been in the athletic director role before, Wagner said. From 2011 to 2014, he was assistant principal at Huston Middle School and also served as athletic director.

The school district’s budget is available for inspection on the district’s website.