Dweezil Zappa: Like Frank, like son

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Philadelphia blueswoman Deb Callahan will be guest of 40 Story Radio Tower show at Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe

UNION TWP. &#8212; The Northwest Area School Board got good news Wednesday night with regard to energy savings, but financial concerns stemming from an impasse on the state budget will cost the district an estimated $18,000, according to Randy Tomasacci, school board chairman.Tomasacci&#8217;s comments centered around costs the district will incur in legal fees and interest expense on a $2.4 million tax anticipation loan negotiated in June with First Keystone Community Bank in order to provide the district with operating capital during the early portion of the school year. Tomasacci said of the $18,000, &#8220;That is money not recoverable by the school district. We have to absorb it.&#8221;Tomasacci, after he and co-director Albert Gordon spoke in accord of the state budget stalemate being &#8220;ridiculous,&#8221; inquired of Kristy Straub, business manager, about Northwest&#8217;s financial status. Straub responded that, because of the tax anticipation loan and early receipts from real estate taxes, the district is stable, in spite of the lack of state reimbursement funds.The district&#8217;s coffers were enhanced by $10,000, thanks to a check presented at the meeting by officers of the ABM company of Pittsburgh, a result of energy efficiency programs instituted in several buildings in the school district starting in 2010.Richard Phelps, general manager of ABM, said the money represents reimbursement in the form of federal tax credits for the energy-saving programs instituted by the school district. Kevin Kovak, senior vice president of marketing for ABM, was also present for the check presentation.Phelps explained that, because Northwest is not a tax-paying entity, the tax credits reverted to ABM, which designed the lighting, heating, ventilation and hot water systems that resulted in the energy savings. ABM, in turn, paid the school district a substantial portion of the tax credits realized. Overall, Phelps estimated the district is expected to save $5 million in energy costs by 2026.Besides fiscal matters, Adam Sorber, director of transportation and technology, will approach Hunlock Twp. and Union Twp. officials about installing school zone flashing signs to warn drivers about excessive speeding in school sectors. Sorber said a problem existed in the early part of the present term but a state police presence has been a deterrent. There is still a need for warning signs, the school board decided.Sorber said he originally approached the state Department of Transportation about posting 15 mph limits, but elaborated that, because Northwest has a very low percentage of students who walk to school, PennDOT, under current law, was restricted from acting. He was told he would have to seek the help of municipal officials about school zone speed limits.Sorber said a problem with speeders is particularly evident along state route 239.Betsy Ellis, director of operations, said enrollment for the 2015-16 term is up slightly: 1,083 students compared with 1,042 in 2014-15.In other matters, the board:&#8226; Approved the purchase of two air conditioners (an $818 expense) for the intermediate school library.&#8226; Approved a proposal to have Sorber research the purchase of a van to serve handicapped and wheelchair pupils with the cost capped at $10,000.&#8226; Tabled a proposal by the Bomberger company, through the COSTARS program, to re-condition all athletic fields at a cost of $30,112.&#8226; Approved the donation of a scoreboard for the new athletic field by Dave Strazdus.&#8226; Approved several teaching and coaching appointments, including Lou DiPasquale as boys baseball coach and Todd Culver as track and field coach.<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By Tom HuntingtonFor Times Leader</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach the Times Leader newsroom at 570-829-7242 or on Twitter @TLnews.</shirttailMeta></div>

Northwest Area School District gets energy reimbursement, faces $18,000 in costs due to state budget impasse