Homeowners in the Deer Lakes School District won't be paying higher school property tax bills in the 2014-15 school year.

The school board Monday approved the district's $32.95 million budget. The district projects spending about $845,000, or about 2.6 percent more, than it did in the 2013-14 school year.

The property tax rate will remain 21.953 mills.

The budget was approved by an 8-0 vote. Board member Rebekah Stankowski was absent.

Superintendent search

The Deer Lakes School Board has hired the Allegheny Intermediate Unit to help the district find a new superintendent.

Superintendent Janet Ciramella is scheduled to retire next year, on April 7.

The board will pay the intermediate unit up to $2,000 to conduct the search. Applications for the position are due by July 22.

A community meeting to talk about what is wanted in a new district leader will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 9 at the high school library.

In other business

• The school board approved a three-year contract with Dennis Thimons, the district's business manager and board secretary.

The agreement runs from July 1 through June 30, 2017.

In the first year, his pay is increased by 1 percent, to $95,950. Raises of 2 percent are included in the second and third years.

• The school board approved a one-year contract with W.L. Roenigk for busing non-public and special needs students for the 2014-15 school year.

The district will pay the company about $550,000, the same as was charged for the 2013-14 school year, Thimons said.

The contract includes an option for the district to extend the agreement for one more year with a 2 percent cost increase.

Brian C. Rittmeyer is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.

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