Aug 19, 2014 1 min read

McMURRAY – At a previous meeting, the Peters Township School Board approved spending $2,500 for an upcoming band camp at California University of Pennsylvania. At Monday’s meeting, Robert Speshock, of 102 Chestnut Court, questioned why taxpayer money is paying for the band camp.

Speshock felt band members should have raised the funds through hoagie sales and other events. The expenditure, according to Speshock, was ill-advised in light of a recent hike in school taxes. Speshock told the board that, with the average township income at more than $141,000, he believed the additional cost approved by the board could have been absorbed by those with an “average” income.

Superintendent Jeannine French told Speshock the district is required to provide services, such as a band director and nurse, during the camp. Even if the camp was held on district property, French said the additional cost for the director and nurse would have applied, because it is held before school resumes.

Board member Jamison Hardy said with the district’s $53 million annual budget, $2,500 was not a significant amount. Hardy told Speshock the band members did not ask for the $2,500, relying on fundraising events through the booster group to finance individual members’ attendance.