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Gleyber Torres shines in SWB RailRiders’ spring training opener

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Shapiro to Congress: protect state oversight of student loans

<p>WRIGHT TWP. &#8212; Besides announcing potential teacher layoffs, the Crestwood School Board took steps Thursday night to initiate a district-wide assessment of security measures.</p><p>The board voted 8-0 to seek proposals for a &#8220;barrier and hazard assessment&#8221; of school buildings with the cost not to exceed $900.</p><p>School director Bill Thomas, chairman of building and grounds, called the proposal &#8220;a first step in a program to safeguard the students.&#8221;</p><p>But during the dialogue between students, Mountain Top area residents and school directors, it was pointed out that vulnerabilities exist at buildings. Superintendent Joseph Gorham responded, &#8220;I will address these issues and make recommendations to our personnel.&#8221; Gorham also stated that he has made a request for more of a police presence while classes are in session.</p><p><strong>Deficit warning</strong></p><p>While discussing a projected deficit in the 2018-19 proposed budget, finance director Albert Melone cautioned if such deficits keep happening, the district could decline into &#8220;structural deficit&#8221; status. And in a few years, that could lead to Crestwood being declared exempt from a state law limiting tax hikes.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a serious situation that can lead to the school board having the alternative to raise taxes well beyond its state-imposed index,&#8221; said Melone. That index is currently 3.2 percent.</p><p>The board in its 2018-19 preliminary budget has cited the need for a real estate tax levy of over 4 percent.</p><p>Meanwhile, budget issues which have led to the prospect of reductions in the professional staff were the main focus of protests among more than 100 residents and students attending the meeting.</p><p>The situation was heightened by comments from Gorham in which he outlines plans to furlough 13 members of the educational staff. These cuts, Gorham said, will tentatively impact eight elementary teachers and five individuals in secondary education, affecting personnel in the areas of tech education, home economics, Spanish, guidance and teacher aides.</p><p>When questioned, however, Gorham said there are &#8220;no plans&#8221; to make cuts to the arts and music.</p><p>Over the tumult of the packed crowd in the school library, newly elected school director Barry Boone &#8212; a former math teacher who retired from Crestwood after 26 years of service &#8212; offered these words of counsel: &#8220;What&#8217;s being presented is a worst case scenario &#8230; we are working hard and listening &#8230; and we will do everything we can to save as much as we can.&#8221;</p><p>The board also:</p><p>&#8226; Approved payment of $6,954 to Wright Township police for DARE program instructors.</p><p>&#8226; Approved a series of assistant coaching assignments for spring sports.</p><p>&#8226; OK&#8217;d Gorham&#8217;s proposal to designate June 12 and 13 as snow make-up days.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Tom Huntington</p><p>For Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div>

Crestwood to review building security