Salisbury school board directors met June 18 at the administration building to approve the 2014-2015 budget and to honor retirees, who combined, have given more than 190 years of service to the district.

Retirees being honored included Betty E. Aungst, second cook at Salisbury High School with 25 years of service; Robyn J. Balsai, English teacher at SHS with 39 years of service; Carol A. Steinmann-Goodley, English as a Second Language teacher at Salisbury Middle School with 13 years of service; Carol A. Klinger, sixth grade teacher at SMS with 31 years of service; Jennifer L. Piagesi, English teacher at SHS with 34 years of service; Elsie G. Skoutelas, retiring cafeteria worker at SMS with nine years of service; and Ruth D. Smith biology teacher at SHS with 40 years of service. Retiree Janice G. Saltsman, instructional assistant at Harry S Truman Elementary School was unable to attend.

"Your service to our students, the profession and public education has been extraordinary," Superintendent Michael Roth told the retirees.

"Thank you, on behalf of the board and our Salisbury graduates, for your loyalty," Board President Russell Giordano said. "Enjoy your retirement."

In other business, the board formally approved the district's final 2014-2015 general fund operating budget reflecting total expenditures in the amount of $33,450,885. Homeowners will see an increase in their school tax of 3.4 percent or an average increase of $117.78.

The budget was approved in an 8-1 vote with board members Tom Mantz voting via Skype and Mary Ziegler voting via speakerphone. Board member Robert Fischer voted against the budget.

Business Administrator Robert P. Bruchak said over $1 million of the school district budget is being used not to educate students in the district; instead it is being paid for 59 students to attend and be transported to various charter schools.

As the budget stands now, $454,804 is being used from the fund balance to balance the budget.

In other operations news, Dr. Michele D. Jones was appointed as athletic and school physician for the 2014-2015 school year.

King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, LLC was approved as solicitors for three years beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.

The master lease purchase agreement with Apple for four years was approved with a vote of 8-1 with Fischer opposed.

In personnel news, the board approved the following: Ann Ruth's resignation as a part-time secretary at SHS; full-time status for English teacher Kelly Butterbaugh at SHS; the hiring of Joseph Pacitti as a full-time English teacher at SHS; the hiring of Anne Schneider as a part-time English teacher at SHS; the hiring of Melissa Cerco as a full-time learning support teacher at Harry S Truman Elementary School; the hiring of Karen Vitalos as a part-time learning support instructional assistant at HST; the hiring of Celeste Maldonado as a full-time long-term substitute psychologist at SHS and Salisbury Middle School; a general leave of absence without pay or benefits for Brian Pritchard, part-time custodian at SMS effective June 19; the increase of hours for Sheila Lash, cafeteria helper at SHS; the hiring of Jodi Bilger, part-time cafeteria helper at SHS; increase of hours for Rosemary Kichline, cafeteria helper at SMS; increase of hours for Mary Dolan, cafeteria helper at SMS; and increase of hours for Adrienne Lombo, cafeteria helper at SMS.

The board voted to recall Cheryl L. Criscuolo as a full-time science teacher at SMS in a 6-3 vote. Board members Giordano, George Gatanis and Sam DeFrank opposed.

Department chairpersons were named for the 2014-2015 school year including Carla Pacitti, English/reading; Jennifer Brinson, social studies; Sherry Wetherhold, family consumer sciences/ business; Cathie Meholic, mathematics; Megan Basile, science/technology education; Rachel Reinecke, arts; and Laura Dos Santos, world languages.

Brett Spencer and Christopher Bishop were approved for the summer help program as well as the establishment of four part-time, 30 hours a week student summer help in the technology department.

Kailey DeOliveira was approved as a volunteer assistant varsity girls soccer coach; Susan Kelly was approved as a volunteer assistant varsity cheerleading coach; Julie Sentz, Becky Gilbert, Lynn Unger, Carly Brown and Robert Tocci were approved as volunteer assistant twirling coaches; Brian Bleam was approved as a volunteer assistant varsity girls tennis coach; Louis Bottitta was approved as a volunteer assistant varsity girls tennis coach and Brian Covely was approved as a volunteer golf coach.

Lastly, the school district voted to approve a cooperative sponsorship agreement for the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years with Allentown Central Catholic High School to allow ACCHS students to participate in junior varsity and varsity field hockey at Salisbury, pending approval by PIAA and a review of the school solicitor.

Director of Activities Monica Deeb said STSD numbers were low as were ACCHS. The ACCHS students will represent STSD and wear Salisbury uniforms. They will provide their own transportation to and from practice and provide their own insurance.

Deeb said if the district didn't approve this, there would be no junior varsity team. Salisbury will remain AA.

"We are providing more opportunities for our kids," Deeb said.