New Castle News

Local News

Discussion

June 13, 2008

Shenango holds line on taxes

The Shenango Area School District is holding the line on taxes again.

Meanwhile, health insurance and worker’s compensation rates are rising, but the district has seen a decrease in its overall insurance costs.

The school board on Monday adopted a $15,183,192 budget that keeps property taxes at 11.1 mills. The vote on the 2008-09 budget was 8-0 with member J. Gary Senko absent.

The spending plan is $314,717 higher than the 2007-08 budget.

Superintendent Dan Bell explained that the district was able to refrain from raising taxes because it received a 2 percent increase in its state subsidy.

The budget in the past several years has had various capital improvement projects included in it, but this year there are no projects, he said.

The district has not raised taxes in six years.

Other taxes levied by the district include a 0.5 percent wage tax, a $15 per capita tax, a $20 local services tax and a 2 percent realty transfer tax.

The board approved new health insurance rates under Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield, which represent a 9 1/2 percent increase in costs to the district.

The board also approved a policy with Ohio Casualty, which carries an annual premium of $41,696. Coverage includes property, general liability, crime, auto, boiler and machinery, school leaders errors and omissions and an umbrella liability.

That policy represents a 14 percent decrease from last year’s premium, which was $48,010, according to Bell.

The district is paying a slight increase in worker’s compensation insurance. The board approved a policy with Burns & Burns Associates Inc. at an annual premium of $42,021. That is an increase from $41,620 for the 2007-08 school year.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • Mitchell.jpg Elected councilman contests disqualification

    A New Castle City Council candidate contends he should not be disqualified from holding office because he is seeking clemency.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • Ramsey.jpg Dave Ramsey: Proper insurance can transfer risk

    “Dave Says" is a weekly column featuring financial advice from nationally syndicated radio host Dave Ramsey. His column is filled with timely, relevant questions and answers taken from actual letters and calls on Ramsey's radio program, “The Dave Ramsey Show.”

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • City planning OKs school addition

     The New Castle Planning Commission has recommended a conditional use be granted for a school addition. The New Castle Area School District plans to construct an addition to the Harry W. Lockley Kindergarten Center and create an early learning center.

    February 3, 2012

  • money.jpg Mortgage rates trigger surge in buying, refinancing

    Some sectors of the economy may still be sluggish, but the housing market in Lawrence County isn’t one of them. Mortgage loans, both for refinancing and home purchases, are up significantly in the last several months in the county, according to local banks and real estate agents.

    February 2, 2012 1 Photo

  • Brothers.jpg Lori Brothers: Organic is good, but it’s not always necessary

    How often do you have a great conversation with your produce man? I encourage it. I got quite an explanation about how organic veggies are handled. I also found out there are certain guidelines about where they can even be located to be sold as “organic.”

    February 2, 2012 1 Photo

  • Mastrangelo.jpg Our Opinion, Part 2: Mayor’s hiring of his son raises more serious questions

    If you ask New Castle residents to identify the biggest problem in local government, one word will stand out:
    Nepotism. The term, of course, refers to the hiring of one’s relatives for positions, regardless of the fact others are equally — or more — deserving of available positions.

    February 1, 2012 1 Photo 1 Story

  • gavel.jpg Candidates make their pitch to council

    New Castle City Council interviewed nine candidates Tuesday night. The successful candidate will fill the pending vacancy created by the election in November of Gary Mitchell who has felony convictions on his record.

    February 1, 2012 1 Photo

  • Sansone.jpg Our Opinion: Why didn’t council keep Chief Tom Sansone?

    Last week, a majority on city council refused to confirm Mayor Anthony Mastrangelo’s appointment of Tom Sansone to continue as police chief. For the moment, the city has no police chief, and city residents are left to wonder why.

    January 31, 2012 4 Photos

  • Black.jpg Historical society to host slavery story program

    The Works Progress Administration was more than a simple New Deal agency that employed workers to carry out public works projects.

    January 31, 2012 1 Photo

  • Education task force to meet in Grove City

    The Midwestern Local Task Force Right to Education meeting will be Feb. 9. The group will meet from 10 a.m. to noon at Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV in Grove City.

    January 31, 2012