Charleroi district wants to keep tax collections local
Charleroi Area School District is satisfied with the county earned-income tax collection and believes the state taking charge of tax collection would not be a benefit to the district.
School directors unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday urging the state Department of Revenue to abandon the move to a statewide earned-income tax collection system. The resolution encourages taxpayers, other districts and citizens to contact local representatives to voice their concerns on this issue.
Business manager Crystal Zahand said the move to a statewide collection system creates considerable uncertainty for the district.
“We receive revenue on a weekly basis. Keystone Collections charges a minimal fee for the collections. If this is a move to a statewide collection, the fee may be higher, which would mean less revenue, and it may not be dispersed weekly. There is much uncertainty with a statewide collection. We rely on the distribution as it comes in as it does now,” said Zahand.
Solicitor Todd Pappasergi said the state is moving toward legislation that would particularly affect smaller and less-affluent districts. He added that there is uncertainty about when the funds collected would be distributed to the district.
In other news, the Charleroi Sabers semipro football team is looking for a new place to call home. The Premier Amateur Football League team played its first season at Monessen High School Stadium.
Co-founders Lauri and Dave Mosley said they are a Charleroi team. “Our name is the Charleroi Sabers, we live in Charleroi, our kids go to Charleroi schools, and we want Charleroi to be our home,” said Lauri Mosley. She added that the team would be an asset to the community. “We get anywhere between 100 to 400 spectators, not counting kids. You could utilize the concession stand and use the money for your teams.”
She added that the team has purchased an inflatable tunnel for the players to emerge from, which would be available for use for the students if the semipro team is granted the use of the high school stadium for their games.
The team is a nonprofit organization, and profits will be donated to address a need in the community. Lauri Mosley said this year’s profit hasn’t been designated yet, but the organization is open to ideas. “We want to support a project that has a need in the community,” she said.
The team was denied use of the facilities last year. The Mosleys presented proof of insurance, clearances and other information to the board.
Superintendent Ed Zelich said he and the board would look at the information and discuss it.
The district received a letter of support from state Rep. Bud Cook for a Safe School Grant. If awarded, the grant would be used to purchase metal detectors. One would be placed in the elementary school building, and one would be placed in the middle school/high school building. Two collapsible metal detectors also would be purchased for use at the stadium and gymnasium.
Three teachers received tenure at Tuesday’s meeting: Sarah Bowker, elementary school learning support teacher; Nick Pappasergi middle school history; and Nick Golden, high school physical education. Zelich commended the board for hiring such high-caliber staff. “I am amazed every day when I see these teachers,” he said.