BROOKVILLE — Ellen Neyman, who will retire at the end of November as the business manager for the school district, was applauded by the Brookville Area School Board Monday night.
Superintendent Erich May recognized Neyman for outstanding service to the school and community. He commented on challenges she faced, seeing them as opportunities “to streamline some practices. Currently under her leadership the team is doing well serving schools and growing in experience.”
He listed some of her major accomplishments as business manager, including “mitigating the negative impact of economic conditions that were beyond her control,” such as the Commonwealth having no budget for six months. “Investments were completely liquidated and wherever possible spending was postponed, such that education was not interrupted,” May said. “It’s apparent that her leadership in budgeting and other financial matters was sound.” Following COVID, “we have made the transition to a budget with far fewer federal dollars and done so without the need for a tax increase.”
Following a standing ovation, Neyman said, “It’s been an honor to work in a district with such high standards. I really appreciate the team I’ve worked with and I look forward to hearing good things about Brookville in the future.”
Finance
- The board approved in a 7-1 vote the Jefferson County Tax Collection Committee’s budget of $3,500 be approved. The BASD share of the budget will be $533.40. Neyman said the committee is mandated by the state and is required to have an operating budget. Voting no was board member Robert Victor.
- The board also appointed incoming business manager Shawn Arbaugh as the district’s delegate on the committee, with Kathy Ruth as first alternate.
- The board expressed its gratitude to the Brookville Area Chamber of Commerce for its $100 donation to cover the cost of bussing for the Halloween window painting.
Policy and programs
- The board approved a recommendation that Raider athletics become a full-time member of the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference (KSAC), beginning in the fall of 2025.
- The board approved a request by the soccer feeder program to use fields on the school campus, including for Sunday games. The board was advised that previous requests for Sunday use of facilities will have to be revisited.
- Approved was a senior class trip to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, on Friday, May 9. Senior class funds will be used to cover the costs of the trip. The number of teachers attending as chaperones will be determined by the number of students attending.
Personnel
- The board accepted resignations from Rebecca Burkett and Dennis Bartley, both in the custodial department.
- The board approved the transfer of Angie Hughey from custodian I to custodian II at Hickory Grove, and the transfer of Jill Orcutt from business office assistant to confidential secretary for Human Resources.
- Rebecca Shields, LPN, was added to the list of day-to-day substitutes.
- Approved as coaches and volunteers were:
Girls basketball — Leslie Blair, Dan Reed and Brandi Rafferty, volunteers.
Boys elemenary — Mark McLaughlin, volunteer.
Track — Samantha Kennedy and J. Daniel Murdock, volunteers.
Softball — Vincent Esposito, assistant coach; Bob Bowser and Kristi Lewis, volunteers.
December meeting
School board members were reminded that the meetings will be combined on Wednesday, December 4. Beginning at 6 p.m. the annual reorganizational meeting will be held, followed by the monthly board meetings.
Because of the early meeting approval was given to pay December invoices subject to approval by the superintendent and ratification by the school board at the January 2025 meeting.
This post was originally published on here
