Nov 24, 2019 2 min read

BROWNSVILLE – The Brownsville Area School District Board of Directors voted to refinance an $8.4 million bond, a move that could potentially save up to $100,000 over the next year.

According to Superintendent Keith Hartbauer, the district has refinanced four bonds the past four years to take advantage of better interest rates. Much of the $1.4 million in savings helps the district to balance its budget, maintain a fund balance and obtain instructional materials and resources for students.

“We want to credit the board for looking at all the available avenues to save money for our district,” Hartbauer said during the school board’s monthly meeting. “Special thanks also to board Director Gary Seelye and business manager Bill Boucher for their efforts in this process.”

Hartbauer added that the interest rate for the latest refinanced bond is 2.85%, and the term for the remainder of the bond will not be extended.

In addition, Hartbauer recognized six teachers who were rated as distinguished educators by the Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System. This award honors teachers who helped students achieve significant academic growth. One-year recognitions were presented to Roxie Furlong, Michelle Izzi and Angela Stiner while three-year recognitions were presented to Jane Bock, Michelle Izzi, Patricia Knisley and Andrea Roebuck.

In other business, the board:

• Approved adjustments to the 2018-19 Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) grant for the purchase of a radio repeater system at a cost of $7,171.50. Most of the cost will be covered by the security grant funds, with a total cost of $976 to the district. The coverage will help overcome the non-availability of cellphone access for employees if an emergency arises.
• Approved a $35,000 safety grant from the PCCD for a RAPTOR Emergency Management System, four panic alarms and a security station, training for security staff, safety signage and equipment, and 12 new digital surveillance cameras, monitors and a DVR.
• Hired Emily Radabaugh as Middle School special education teacher, Scott Roebuck as weightlifting coach and James Barak as both high school boys and high school girls head track coach.
• Hired Radcliff Law to assist with negotiations for the BEA contract at a cost of $125 per hour.