Hempfield school board to hold special meeting to discuss budget, athletics

The Hempfield Area School Board is expected to revisit the 2020-21 budget during a special meeting June 22 after it was tabled during a public meeting this week.

Board members voted unanimously Monday to table the $97.3 million budget after a motion to eliminate a full-time central receiving position failed to pass, putting the budget in a $90,000 deficit, said Business Manager Wayne Wismar.

Board members Sonya Brajdic, Jennifer Bretz, Diane Ciabattoni, Vince DeAugustine and Scott Learn voted against the motion after Scott Raviart, the person in the position, submitted comment detailing his 27 years on the job and laying out his intention to retire from Hempfield in eight years.

“I do have a problem with this, and I do understand the budget,” Ciabattoni said. “I really like where the budget is, but after 27 years I’m just having a difficult time with this, just like everyone else is.”

Wismar reduced budget expenditures by more than $497,900 through attrition, replacing five retiring employees with others at “more entry level rates,” eliminating the central receiving position, approving a request for leave and not replacing a support position.

Wismar noted that the board and administration will reconvene “to determine if there are options for eliminating the deficit” or if the fund balance will be used to offset the difference.

During the upcoming virtual meeting, board members will also discuss a plan for athletics in the coming year, said Superintendent Tammy Wolicki, noting that members are expected to approve fall coaches as well as a health and safety athletic plan.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and can be accessed through the district website, hasdpa.net. Public comment can emailed to board Secretary Pam Gibasiewicz, gibasiewiczp@hasdpa.net, prior to the meeting.