Content about VICKI MORTIMER

05.11.12

BY VICKI MORTIMER

At its work session on Monday, the Avonworth School Board unanimously approved a proposed final budget for the 2012-13 school year. The budget anticipates revenue of approximately $23.3 million and expenditures of approximately $23.6 million, leaving a deficit of $244,000. The spenbding plan is based on a property tax millage rate increase of .94 mills.

04.14.12

Home owners question appeals

By VICKI MORTIMER

Three Ben Avon residents attended the April 9 meeting of the Avonworth School Board to question why the district has challenged their property assessments three times in less than one year.

Bradley Cole told the board that he felt that he was being punished because he was fortunate enough to purchase a home in a great community. Cole has been a resident of Ben Avon since November 2010. Cole said that the district is forcing out young families -- the people that they want to attract.

09.16.11

Board hears primary center update

Progress continues on the construction of a primary center near Avonworth Elementary. The district’s school board voted Monday to begin negotiations for pre-construction services, approved several documents required by the state, and heard an update from the project architect/engineer.

08.19.11

Asthma not caused by schools

By VICKI MORTIMER

Although a high number of children living in the Northgate School District may have asthma, there is no reason to believe the district’s schools have caused or contributed to the problem, according to school officials.

Citizens questioned Northgate officials at Monday’s school board meeting about a WTAE news report that stated that some 37 percent of the students in the Northgate School District have asthma, the highest percentage among school districts in Allegheny County. According to the WTAE report, the national and state average is 11 percent.

08.12.11

Few attend school hearing

By VICKI MORTIMER

The Aug. 4 hearing required before Avonworth can p[roceed with construction of a primary center was sparsely attended by only three of the district's residents, as well as representatives from the elementary school and the school board.

A panel of four spoke to those present: superintendent Dr. Valerie McDonald; solicitor William Andrews; Greer Hayden of HHSDR, the architects/ engineers for the project; and Antonio Misiti of PNC Capital Markets, the district's financial advisor.

05.20.11

Northgate keeps cuts in proposed final budget

By VICKI MORTIMER

After hearing from those opposed to some of the cuts made to balance the Northgate School District’s 2011-12 budget, the board voted Monday to propose a spending plan with no tax increase, and no funding for full-day kindergarten, a spring musical, or several teaching positions.

About 15 students concerned about the reduction of funding for the high school musical told the board that the musical taught them the value of hard work, was a lot of fun, brought the students closer, let students express themselves, and improved the students' singing and acting abilities.

02.11.11

Mayor 1-for-3 on vetoes

By VICKI MORTIMER

At its work session on Tuesday, Bellevue Council voted to override two of three vetoes handed down by Mayor George Doscher at the end of 2010. The user-based sewer surcharge will not go into effect just yet, this year’s pay increase will be limited to one employee, and the borough already has hired an assistant director of administrative services (DAS).

01.07.11

Avalon adopts budget, garbage fee

By VICKI MORTIMER

In rapid-fire succession, Avalon Council adopted a number of ordinances and motions at their meeting on Dec. 30, most with no discussion.

08.13.10

Boosters will get money back

By VICKI MORTIMER

The Avonworth School Board, at its regular meeting on Monday, voted to refund the $2,600 spent by the football boosters to purchase nameplates for the football team's away jerseys.

The board recently received a letter from an attorney representing the boosters, asking that the nameplates be allowed to go on the jerseys or the amount spent by the boosters be refunded. The letter stated that the boosters had obtained permission from the coach, athletic director and members of the school board's athletic committee before going ahead with the purchase.