In an Altoona Mirror report, the board is getting set to move on its 23-24 budget, and a tax hike for property owners. The mirror listed an unofficial poll of members at last nights meeting. That poll revealed that 5 board members are set to vote for that tax increase. Ron Sommer, Doug Stephenson, Scott Brennaman, Nicole Hartman and Lonna Fry appear to be set to vote in favor of that increase, Sommer told the mirror, this is the only way to cut the deficit. Board members Carmen Bilek and Ken Snyder are opposed, and Manny Nichols and Jennifer Costanza were not present at the meeting. Last week, superintendent Robert Gildea issued a plea to the board that the administration would support a tax increase, or the district would have to start cutting programs and activities to bring down the deficit. A final vote on the budget is set for June 14th.
