Wilson Area School budget hikes tax 1%; approval may have violated state law

WILSON, Pa. — Wilson Area School Board this week approved a budget that increases the property tax 1%, but in doing so may have violated state law by moving the meeting without apparent notice.

The June 17 meeting to approve a 2024-25 budget, was to be at the William P. Tollinger Administration Building, where the board usually meets, but at the last minute was moved to the high school.

No notice for the move was placed on the building.

The state Open Meetings Law requires public notification of a public body's meeting place.

In response to questions from LehighValleyNews.com, the district superintendent’s office said the move was made to accommodate a crowd of students who were being recognized in a ceremony.

Pennsylvania Newsmedia Association general counsel Melissa Melewsky said while there appeared to be no ill intent in the switch, it still potentially violated the Sunshine Act.

“If there was a change to the date, time or location that had already been advertised, they would need to re-advertise the correct date, time and location at least 24 hours beforehand,” Melewsky said.

'Absolutely most interested in'

Such a notice would have to be posted in printed media — not just through an online notification like an e-mail, Melewsky said.

While an official from the superintendent’s office said the change was “last-minute,” the public must be informed so citizens who have a right to attend the meeting aren't excluded, Melewsky said.

“And that means if a court would find a violation occurred, what the court could do is enter an injunction, it could invalidate any official action that was taken at the meeting," Melewsky said.

"But that presumes that someone files a lawsuit and the lawsuit is successful.”

Keeping the public informed on any meeting is a necessity, Melewsky said, especially when it comes to issues such as budgets.

“That's one of the things that people are absolutely most interested in, how these public officials are spending taxpayer dollars,” Melewsky said.

“It doesn't get much more public interest than that. So if there were any holes in the transparency and accountability process, that's something that needs to be addressed.”

'Should've left a note on the door'

Melewsky said she has heard of school boards taking similar actions in moving a meeting to accommodate more citizens, but at the very least, someone should have put a notice on the administrative building directing individuals to the high school.

“That's essentially a Sunshine Act problem," she said. "Even if their intentions were good, and they needed a room to recognize all these students, that's wonderful, but they have got to let people know where to go and actually recognize the students."

Melewsky said she hopes the board can be more considerate about such processes in the future.

“Ideally, what should have happened is they should have started the meeting in the advertised location, and then said, ‘Alright, everybody, we have got to move because [the room is not] big enough,’" she said. "And then they should have left a note on the door.

"So I think this is a learning opportunity for them and a chance to do better next time.”

As of Thursday, there were no official statements from Superintendent Douglas Wagner, who was away from his office this week, Administrative Assistant Sandy Lee confirmed.

The budget

The school board approved a final budget for the 2024-25 school year with a 1% tax increase for residents.

The $46,486,749 budget calls for a 0.6 mill or 1% overall increase over the previous budget.

According to district Business Manager Stephanie Arnold, the district budget saw no increase in 2021-22, a 1% increase in 2022-23 and a 0.5% increase in 2023-24.

Arnold said the 2024-25 budget featured “nothing new this year,” and the main drivers behind the total were salaries and benefits, which account for $16.48 million for elementary and secondary education.

Overall, the average homeowner in the district will see a tax increase of about $33.32 per year with the new budget.

“It's $35 for Glendon, $25 for West Easton, $45 for Williams Township, and $29 for Wilson Borough,” Arnold said.

According to the district website, its comprehensive plan consists of “established priorities.”

Those include to “Provide an optimal learning environment to ensure all students can achieve and have opportunities to become engaged in the school community, Eliminate learning gaps in all subject areas, Build a learning community that appreciates diversity, promotes equity, demonstrates inclusion, and creates an environment that fosters and values each person’s contributions, [and] Expand educational systems to create an environment which supports the efficient and effective integration of technology in the teaching and learning process.”

Measurable goals for the plan include a decrease in mental health concerns in the 2025 PAYS survey and an increase in the percent of students who feel safe in district schools.

Also, elimination of learning gaps leading to student achievement exceeding that of 2019, and developing and implementing math and science curriculums keeping with the PA Core standards.

Furthermore, inclusion of all staff in Allyship training, an increase in the perceived importance of school, and expansion of systems to support technology integration into the curriculum.