The board will conduct a performance review for the superintendent, Dr. Mary Todora, later this summer when she is due for a raise. She said she will donate her entire raise — whatever the amount is — to the district.

Business manager Melissa Morosky is the only administrator not contributing to the budget. She was granted a new contract last night with a 3 percent raise of $1,740, bringing her pay to $59,740 for next school year.

Todora said Morosky was not approached about donating back because she is not part of the academic administrative staff.

“We looked at members of the team who are underpaid and we didn’t ask her to give back,” she said. “I went to the other administrators and said that morally, with the economy as bad as it is, if we could give something back, there are a lot of people in our own families who are hurting financially. We didn’t ask her because she’s really not an administrator.”

Heasley, explaining the reasoning for the give-back, commented, “There’s not a member on this board who doesn’t try to do what they think is best. We’ve talked about this and we think it’s the right thing to do. We all have houses as well.”

He said the donation is being made because of the hard work done by the board. Other administrators at the meeting repeated his sentiments.

TAXPAYERS PROTEST

The board’s initial proposal to raise taxes by 0.336 of a mill or 2.45 percent had triggered protests by taxpayers, who cited the shaky economic climate and the number of residents on fixed incomes.

About 50 people attended last night’s meeting, including several former school board members, to ask the board to hold the line on taxes.

One was Bruce Waldman, who commented, “When I served in your seat, there were (about) 1,300 students in Neshannock and there were five administrative staff and shared secretarial help.”

He pointed out the district now has only 70 more students, but pays seven administrators with added secretarial help and a business administrator, plus costly benefits and retirement programs.

Russell “Hank” Forney, owner of commercial property in the township, has been informing taxpayers via telephone and e-mail about his displeasure with the district’s spending and proposed tax increase.

He criticized the way the board advertised public budget planning and bid opening meetings earlier this month, which were canceled, then convened, although the cancellation was posted on the school’s marquee.

“Whoever authorized that, that is bordering on malfeasance,” he said, “... and you were wanting to spend a lot of money.”