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Happy birthday Cooper Edward Pugh!

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UNC’s Roy Williams earns 800th career victory

<p>DALLAS TWP. &#8212; Head Football Coach Richard Mannello&#8217;s position is not open despite rumors on social media, Dallas School Board President Sherri Newell said Monday.</p><p>Nearly 30 Dallas High School football players and their parents attended the monthly school board meeting, creating a standing-room-only situation to show support for Mannello, but Newell&#8217;s announcement rested many concerns.</p><p>&#8220;We are not taking any votes on as far as the football opening,&#8221; Newell said. &#8220;If you have homework or something to do, you are welcome to leave. If you want to stay, you can stay.&#8221;</p><p>The football players remained steadfast and stood along the back wall of the meeting room while others sat on the floor in front of the school board throughout the entire meeting.</p><p>During a public comment period, Mark Farrell, of Dallas, put Newell on the spot by asking if there would be an opening for a football coaching position.</p><p>&#8220;That is false,&#8221; Newell said.</p><p>She said concerns were brought to the table in a &#8220;closed-door&#8221; meeting of the school board.</p><p>&#8220;We would like to have a scheduled meeting with coach Mannello,&#8221; Newell said.</p><p>The details of the rumors or concerns were not disclosed at the meeting. Even the football players were tight-lipped about the issues.</p><p>But Mannello&#8217;s positive effect on the young team was spotlighted.</p><p>&#8220;We feel the football program is going in the right direction,&#8221; Farrell, a parent of a football player said. &#8220;When Coach Mannello came here, the team&#8217;s averaged missed days were 14 for the school year.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;Last year, it was down to just under seven and this year it is three.&#8221;</p><p>Football player Michael Farrell said coach Mannello is &#8220;more than a coach.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;He is a mentor,&#8221; Farrell said. &#8220;He put his neck out for a number of college programs for me. &#8230; You can go to him with anything and get a straight answer.&#8221;</p><p>In other news, the school board anonymously approved a preliminary budget motion not to seek a tax limit increase under the Act 1 Index for the 2017-18 year.</p><p>The move ensures the Dallas School District can only raise property taxes to the state Department of Education&#8217;s designated 3 percent limit, Grant Palfey, the district&#8217;s business manager, said.</p><p>Last year, the school board applied for an Act 1 Index citing rising costs of pensions and special education. School board m</p><p>The exception resulted in a 4.05 percent tax increase, which was 2.8 percent over the district&#8217;s tax limit, resulting in a millage rate of 13.1381. A mill is $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value.</p><p>The school board was required to determine if it was going to seek an Act 1 Index tax limit exception by Jan. 25 according to state law.</p><p>The next school board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 13 in the administration building.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Dallas High School Football players attended the Dallas School Board meeting to support Coach Rich Mannello reputation against rumors on social media. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_DallasSchoolMeet-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Dallas High School Football players attended the Dallas School Board meeting to support Coach Rich Mannello reputation against rumors on social media. </caption0><photoCredit0>Eileen Godin | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Eileen Godin</p><p>egodin@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Football and taxes were the talk at Dallas School Board meeting