The Weatherly Area School Board approved a 1.46-mills tax increase on a split vote, 5-2, at their meeting on June 12. Board members approved a $14,445,987 budget for 2019-2020 that included the tax hike.

Board president Gerald Fewins, vice president Chad Obert, and members Georgeann Herling, Matthew vonFrisch and Shay Wagner voted in favor, with Brian O’Donnell and Gerald Grega (by phone), opposed.

Members William Knepper and Amy Potsko were absent.

Six teachers were hired to fill the openings created by the retirements of nine teachers.

Grega raised objections to these new hires coming in at salaries matching what step they would have been had they been teaching in the Weatherly Area schools their entire career. Pay ranged from $45,327 to $63,765, with Grega voting no on four of them.

Tiffany Bobeck, hired as the elementary/middle school guidance counselor, and Jeanna Genetti, hired as a business computer and information technology teacher for K through 12, were hired unanimously.

Salary increases of 38 cents per hour starting July 1 were approved for Teresa Barna, Cathy Lafey and Jennifer Carr.

Approved on a split vote, O’Donnell opposed, were salary increases for Act 93 Administrators: Principal Anthony DeSpirito to $87,630.34; Vice-Principal Jeremy Stetler to $71,925; Supervisor of Special Services Michael Papay to $77,500; Assistant Business Manager Brenda Parise to $56,938.09; and Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds William Moyer to $53,835.32.

Stetler will also receive a $5,000 stipend as Online Learning Coordinator/Supervisor. Grega agreed to Stetler holding the post, but voted no on the payment of the stipend.

Employment agreements for the 2019-2020 school year were approved for school police officers William Bartel and Thomas Major. Major, who is full time, will be paid $23 per hour and Bartel, who is part time, will be paid $20 per hour.

The board will meet next on Aug. 14 for a caucus, with the voting meeting held one week later on the 21. Both meetings start at 7 p.m. and are open to the public.