2 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, October 20, 1999 Taste treats (continued from page 1) faculty and administration in the college decision process,” he wrote. Michelle Coombs, a Region 1 candidate, said her involvement with parent-teacher groups has provided a firsthand view of the district's educational strategy. “On the elementary level, [was amem- ber of the Lake-Noxen PTO, and the superintendent would visit with us and talk about the future of our schools. I feel there isa plan in place and I have been able to watch the progress of my children as they are preparing for the fu- ture so that I know it's working,” she said. Other candidates feel the dis- trict should focus more time and energy on improving educational opportunities. “I don’t think they have a clear direction in mind, especially when it comes to using technology in school, but I know they are developing a strategic plan so hopefully things will im- prove,” said Sheila Gionfriddo, an independent candidate from Re- gion 3. Lois Kopcha, an incumbent from Region 1, said the school directors spend too little time dis- cussing the quality of education. “Well, unfortunately, we don’t re- ~ ally talk about that very much. If you've been to meetings you know that everything is about finances and construction so I don't really have a clear picture of our plan for educating the students.” Joseph Kapitula, a region 3 candidate who was appointed to the board recently to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Karen Whipple, said he is in the process of learning more about the district's schools. “I was just ap- pointed in September so | haven't had a chance to look into every- thing just yet,” he said. “I am still investigating the situation but, personally, I think what you put into a child is what you get out of a child. Some parents expect teachers to do it all, but a child needs love and attention at home to be successful.” Charles Boytin, another newly appointed member of the school board, who is seeking election from Region 2, is confident the district is progressing toward a clearly defined strategic plan. “I think we're getting there,” he said. Planned improvements to the district's educational facilities, including the renovation of Ross Elementary School and the con- struction of a new Middle Level Building, received support from all the candidates, while several school board hopefuls said the adequacy of the projects over time needs to be discussed further. “We actually had more students in the 1970's than we have now and unless we get some large in- flux of people, I think the projects will be sufficient for the next 20 years,” said Kopcha. Boytin agreed the projects will provide students a better learning environment for years to come. “That's why we're doing this,” he MEDICAL LABORATORIES [=o] [ole o (=X @o=p) =] £] When you need blood tests, bring your prescription to OMEGA. Dunmore 347-5010 Comprehensive Health Services Center (1416 Monroe Avenue) Mon. - Fri. 8am-1pm . ficient for generations. “I didn’t realize how much was involved in this until I was appointed to the board, but there is a lot to know and a lot to consider.” Joseph Kapitula Region 3 candidate said. “We want to make sure our schools are adequate and we're taking the steps necessary to ac- complish that,” he said. Expanding schools to accom- modate growth over a 20 year period is essential since reim- bursements from the Pennsylva- nia Department of Education will not be available again for two decades. “There are some people who think the district is definitely growing now,” said Gionfriddo. “Just listening to the information Mr. Trumbower, the district's ar- chitect, has presented, I think the projects will be adequate even if there is some increase in popula- tion.” Recent discussions regarding enrollment figures add to the con- fusion about whether or not ex- pansion plans are adequate. “I think we first need to see what the trends are,” said Coombs. “I know the population in the Hunlock Creek area is increasing, but it's difficult to forecast how many people are coming into the dis- trict.” DeCesaris said he would like to have more information about both projects and enrollment figures before offering an opinion. “I do not know if the renovations and construction will be adequate for the next 10 to 20 years,” he said. “I have said throughout my cam- paign that should I have to vote on the construction project that my vote will be based on a thorough understanding of the project and various alternatives. I say this with the realization that the middle level education facility as it pres- ently exists must change, and the sooner the better.” Kapitula said he expects the planned improvements to be suf- “When I was a kid I went to the same school my mom did and let me tell you we were happy to have it,” he said. “Ifyou're going to spend that much money, it better last and not just for 20 years.” “I didn’t realize how much was involved in this until I was ap- pointed to the board, but there is a lot to know and a lot to con- sider,” said Kapitula. “The way I understand this whole thing, we can take back the bond issue if there is a problem or we decide to go a different way.” Kopcha said the district should use some of its savings to offset the cost of capital improvements. “I certainly think we should use the fund balance for renovations,” she said. Several school board hopefuls urged caution about rushing into a decision. “I think we have to look into using some of the fund bal- ance for renovations,” said Gionfriddo. “But it has to be done carefully, you wouldn't take every penny you have to pay off your home mortgage. There has to be enough money left over for main- tenance on the other buildings and everything else.” Lake-Lehman has entered into an agreement to borrow $10 mil- lion to finance construction, but this step is a short term solution. “This is not the time to make the determination whether to appro- priate the fund balance to reduce the debt,” said DeCesaris. “The more appropriate time would be when the district is investigating a long-term financing arrange- ment... In addition to this debt, the district has previous outstand- ing debt, approximately $7 mil- lion requiring accumulated pay- ment of approximately $2.8 mil- lion over the next three years.” Coombs said she would like the school board to provide more detailed explanations of its financ- ing options. “I need more informa- tion on that,” she said. “I think, and this is justan educated guess at this point, that we should use some of the money on hand to pay for these projects because nobody wants to see their taxes go up.” Keeping millage rates from in- creasing is a high priority. “I think we should apply a portion of our fund balance to the construction costs but we should keep enough in reserve so that we don’t have to do anything as far as raising taxes,” said Boytin. Many of the candidates believe Lake-Lehman residents pay higher taxes than they should. “For the years ending 6-30-97 and 6-30-98, there was an Excess of Revenues Over Expenses of 8878,892 and $1,329,929 respec- tively creating a fund balance as of 6-30-98 of $2,208,821,” said DeCesaris. Since the balance has risen to more than $4 million on the latest report, “I do think the residents of the district are over taxed,” he said. Gionfriddo said a few residents bear the brunt of the tax burden. “Certainly, some people are over- “I don’t really know what we do well, but I don’t think we ask enough questions and I hope that’s going to change.” Lois Kopcha Region 1 candidate taxed. Anyone who has newly moved to the area is paying high rates because the property values have never been this high,” she said. "But I think senior citizens, who no longer have school age children, alse feel the taxes are very high and maybe they're wor- ried about how the district is spending that money.” Kapitula said he decided to seek a position on the school board because he is concerned about high taxes and district expenses. “Ifyou're going to spend my money Iwant to know what you're getting for it,” he said. “I live on a fixed income and it's not easy.” Kopcha, who has been a mem- ! ber of the school board during a period in which millage rates have increased substantially, said fur- ther hikes are out of the question. “Taxes have gone up 31 mills since 1996 and in 1998 the administra- tion asked for another 3 mills when we had all this money in the bank,” she said. “It has to stop somewhere.” Curtailing expenditures is one way to prevent tax increases said Coombs. “I guess we really need to look at where we compare to other districts and we have to decide how we can cut costs with- out reducing the quality of educa- tion for the students,” she said. Boytin said this is one area the school board is working hard to improve. “I think we do a good job managing the costs we have con- trol over,” he said. “Things like salaries that are stipulated by contract can’t be cut, but the board makes every effort to reduce ex- penses by joining consortiums and buying pools that allow us to pur- chase equipment and supplies at lower prices.” Kapitula said another strength of the school board is its ability to remedy problems quickly. “I think they take care of things fast, they don't let a little thing get out of hand,” he said. “I mean not every- body is going to get along all the time but I think everyone tries to “Administration c can only prov le a plan, it is ‘maximize the I Yo ul: Also located in Wilkes-Barre Tired of busy signals tothe Internet? Call us we can make your ride LL. \] SMOOOOOOTHER! SARVER'S OUTPUT (800) 655-5066 N[oRST=1 RU] ol s=T-URLBS{To] [8] oN Og El MI [-R=1 RAMANA Tok] o] ols Hel0) 00 $13.95/month for unlimited usage ® Fast 56k Connections work together.” Commitment is an important attribute for school directors said Coombs. “They do continuously say that they want to give the students the best quality educa- tion,” she said. "1 like that be- cause it’s the reason they are on the board and most of the mem- bers have good attendance records which shows me they care.” Gionfriddo and DeCesaris had no comment about the current oO 4 school board’s performance. Kopcha said improving com- munication among board mem- bers is one of her goals. “I'm in the minority, but it seems to me, our current board president calls and gets his five votes and we don’t really discuss some of these is- sues before we vote on them,” she said. “I don’t really know what we do well, but I don’t think we ask enough questions and I hope that’s © L going to change.” Candidates Region 1 2 seats available Candidates: Michelle Maher Coombs, Lois Kopcha Region 2 2 seats available Candidates: Charles Boytin, Angelo DeCesaris Region 3 1 seat available Candidates: Sheila Gionfriddo, Joseph Kapitula Questions: 1. Doyou think the district has a clearly defined plan to prepare students for life beyond the class- room? 2. Do you think the construc- tion and renovation projects are going to be adequate for the next 10-20 years? 3. Do you think all or a portion of the fund balance should be applied to construction costs? 4. Are the district's residents over taxed? 5. Name one thing the current school board does well. PROPERTY TRANSFERS The following property trans- fers were recorded at the Luzerne County Courthouse for the week of Oct. 8 - 14: Julia M. Schlosser, per atty, to ABBCO Development Co., 2 par- cels, Dallas Borough, $51,000. John Tarantino, et ux, to Omar Valgardur Hallsson, 4 acres, Dal- las Twp., $140,000. Regina Whitesell, per atty, to Kenneth Bond, et ux, see deed, Dallas Twp., $90,000. Lo-Meadows, Inc., to Anne Marie Lenahan, see deed, Dallas Twp., $267,500. Mark Freedman, per atty., to John E. Halbing, III, partners, see deed, Dallas Twp., $65,000. Coates Electrographics, Inc. to Gene E. Esopi, et ux, see deed, Dallas Twp., $200,000. Chadsford Development II, to William J. Thomas, et ux, Lot 6 Chadsford Estates, Franklin Twp., $36,500. Lee Sorbers, et ux, to Alex J&_# Apaliski, Lots, 75, 76, 77, Harveys Lake Bor., $12,500. James Wido/Jeff Federici, et ux, to Jason 'R. Boice, Lot 2, Harveys Lake Bor., $19,000. Mark F. Kelly, et ux, to Mark G. Miller, et ux, Lot 49 Sutton Hills, Jackson Twp., $320,000. David J. Bylsma, et ux, to Spen- ceri:M. ‘Gordon, et ux, Lot 8 Wesland Manor, $105,000. Darlings & Sons’ Farms & Greenhouses “Growing Quality is a Family Business Since 1930” Pumpkins, Gourds, Indian Corn, Corn Stalks Garden Mums in Bud & Bloom Cider, Halloween Decorations, Homemade Wreaths, Door Swags, Scarecrows Tomatoes, Winter Cabbage & Squash, Cauliflower, Potatoes Now , Available in 10 & 50 Ib. bags, Green and Red Peppers, Pickling Onions, Spanish Onions, Red Beets and Apples Se. Open Mon. thru Fri. 9-5:30. Sat & Sun. 9-5 675-2080 Located 1/2 mile off Rt. 309, Dallas (200 yds. north of the Dallas Elementary School) Or] Ross Twp., = Ol | OCTOBER IS CUSTOMER APPRECIATION MONTH THANK YOU SPECIALS — At MBE you can make COLOR: as well as black & white copies! — 99¢ Color Copies Limit 5 per customer, per day. After5 copies rest at regular price. 3¢ Copies Limit 100 per customer. N 8.5" x II". 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