Scranton School Board faces CTC renovation decision
Published: November 2, 2009
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share thisA week ago, Scranton School Board members faced a tough decision: whether to fund the district's portion of the $20 million renovation to the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County.
Today, they say that decision is even tougher.
The school board will face a vote tonight on whether to take on its share of the renovation project that would upgrade the building and program equipment. After a two-year phase-in for the 20-year bond, the district would be responsible for $326,500 a year. During last week's CTC teachers strike, directors said they were uneasy about approving the project while there was an ongoing labor dispute. Although a tentative contract agreement was reached Sunday, directors are uncertain how the agreement will affect district finances.
The eight other districts in the center's consortium have approved their shares of the renovations - one contingent on Scranton approving its part.
"It was always going to be a close vote, but now it's really turned everyone off," Director Bob Lesh said.
Board President Tom Gilbride said the teachers contract had to be settled before the renovation funding could even be considered.
Director Brian Jeffers also continues to have reservations about the scope of the project, and as chairman of the board's finance committee, said he is worried the district cannot afford it.
Scranton, like the eight other districts that make up the center's consortium, funds the center. The money for the renovation project would be in addition to annual funding paid to CTC.
Last month, North Pocono, which had been the only other district not to approve the project, voted to take on its share - only if Scranton voted to approve the project as well. North Pocono's share would be $194,000 a year, the second highest of the nine districts in the consortium. Payments are based on student enrollment at CTC.
Calling Scranton's financial strain - with the CTC project, state pension increases, electricity rate increases and its $60 million building project - a "perfect storm," Superintendent William King said it would be difficult to recommend that the board vote to take on its share.
"It's just one challenge after the next," Mr. King said.
Scranton's share of the renovation bill - $326,500 - would be about 1 mill of the district's budget. A mill is a $1 tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value.
Under the consortium agreement, six of nine school districts must approve the project, which they did earlier this year. Based on the agreement, districts that do not vote for the project could still be assessed their share.
Scranton school directors have questioned whether they should leave the consortium, and instead of paying for tuition and the debt service, pay a higher per-student fee - like the fee paid by schools that are not in the consortium.
Whatever tonight's vote, directors say they are committed to offering vocational education to students.
The meeting is at 7 p.m. at Scranton High School.
Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com
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