Wvw Falls To North Pocono 
Last-second Goaltending Call Gives Trojans The Win And A Berth In Friday's
Class 4a Final Against Williamsport.

A Soak In Tub Soothes Both Body And Soul

By MARK GUYDISH markg@leader.net
 Tuesday, February 27, 2001 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 9A 





WILKES-BARRE - Wilkes-Barre Area School District had to dip into its budget
reserves to cover a $505,133 shortfall in 1999-2000, and it's a trend the
district can't afford to continue much longer, a district official said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Business Manager Ralph Scoda said the reserve, called the ``fund balance,''
has been dropping for several years to avoid a tax increase. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ``With a $500,000 loss, we can hold the line a little bit more,'' Scoda
said, ``but we're obviously closer to D-Day.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 According to the audit for 1999-2000, the district took in $61,780,867 and
spent $62,286,000 - both totals were below projected amounts. To cover the
difference, the fund balance dropped from $2,099,000 to $1,593,867. Scoda
conceded the balance was lower than it should be because it has been slowly
depleting. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 While rising costs are part of the problem - Scoda said special education
costs are expected to go up more than usual this year - delinquent property
taxes are the primary culprit. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The district is owed $6,406,286 in property taxes from past years,
according to the audit. More than $2.3 million of that is from 1999 alone.
Scoda said the biggest chunk is a single building: The Sterling Hotel. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Take the decaying giant off the delinquent tax list and it would ``knock a
million right off the top of that.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Unfortunately, the Sterling is looking increasingly like a permanent loss,
Scoda said. ``I think it's uncollectable for all intents and purposes.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The district's property tax collection rate varies from one municipality to
the next, with the lowest rate in Wilkes-Barre, at about 86 percent, and the
highest rate in the Bear Creek area, nearing 98 percent, Scoda said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Mark Guydish, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7161. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

W-b Area Depleting Its Budget Reserves 
Instead Of Increasing Taxes, The District Has Been Using A Fund Balance To
Cover Its Shortfalls, The Business Manager Says.

W-b Area Depleting Its Budget Reserves Instead Of Increasing Taxes, The District Has Been Using A Fund Balance To Cover Its Shortfalls, The Business Manager Says.