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In Pittston Area, Budget Woes and a Fired Teacher

YATESVILLE — Tension ran high at the Pittston Area school board work session and meeting Tuesday night. The district business manager, Al Melone, presente...
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YATESVILLE -- Tension ran high at the Pittston Area school board work session and meeting Tuesday night.

The district business manager, Al Melone, presented details of the 2016/2017 budget, which he calls the worst and most serious he's ever seen.

The $47 million budget plan has a proposed 3.3 percent tax hike approved by the board. A property owner with a home assessed at $100,000 would pay $48 more a year for a total of about $1,498.00 per year.

Melone told board members and taxpayers he believes state lawmakers are "getting out of the education business."

"They're not gonna give us any money, guys. There is gonna be no money. Secondly, something I've never seen there is a bill on the governor's desk to furlough teachers for economic reasons. And when there is no money, I don't know what's gonna happen,” he said.

Board members also voted to fire a teacher, something they say they cannot remember ever doing before.

Earlier this year, a teacher was suspended. District officials won't release specific details about why or reveal the employee's name.

The County district attorney says no charges have been filed against a teacher in this district.

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