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Edison’s eye remains on budget

RICHMOND –The fate of Energy Harbor’s W. H. Sammis Plant has Edison Local School officials keeping an eye on their budget as they set their five-year forecast.

Since word spread of the Stratton plant’s potential closure or sale next year, the district has been mulling how it would impact real estate and public utility property taxes in the future. Treasurer Lisa Bruzzese told board members during the May 19 session at Edison High School that she still needed more information before she could provide a clearer picture of the figures.

“We all know on March 14 that Energy Harbor Corp. announced they were either deactivating or selling the plant sometime in 2023,” Bruzzese said, adding that the district could stand to lose upwards of $2 million in property taxes if that should occur while the public utility tax losses were unknown.

“That’s what’s on the table if the company closes down the plant. If they sell it, there will be a decrease in value. I haven’t reflected it in the forecast because I don’t feel I have enough information. After 2023, it’s pretty good. If the Sammis Plant closes, that won’t affect us until 2024.”

Following more discussion, the board approved the preliminary forecast.

Among other matters:

∫ Assistant Superintendent Julie Kireta discussed summer school programs at Edison High School and Elkhorn Valley Christian Service Camp near Bergholz from June 7-July 21. The district will offer traditional summer school for grades K-8 and 9-12 with elementary and middle school pupils honing their math and reading abilities while high schoolers participate in a credit recovery program and concentrate on core courses. The Wildcat Day Camp will feature activities for grades 1-9 on varied weeks that include a rock wall, high and low ropes and tests on teamwork to complete challenges. About 70 students had registered by the meeting but she was awaiting more by that Friday’s deadline;

∫ Special Education Director Jamie Angelini and EHS Career Pathways coach Leah Eft shared details of the Purple Star Award the high school received for supporting students in military families. Angelini said she, her husband Nick Angelini, Eft and district website coordinator Jamie Evans worked to provide and publicize services to benefit students with loved ones who are either active or veterans;

∫ Beattie said the Edison Unified Sports Complex open house on the high school campus in Richmond was successful May 18 despite rainy weather. Students, parents, school and community members appeared for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and to tour the $12 million facility, which includes the 1,500-seat fieldhouse, multi-purpose area for football, soccer and track, new softball and baseball fields and renovations to the FFA building, auditorium and band room. County commissioners and township trustees were also on hand for the event;

∫ Leaders outlined the final week of activities which culminate with graduation at the new fieldhouse on May 27 at 7 p.m.;

∫ Officials set the next regular meeting for 6 p.m. June 23 at EHS.

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