SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

The Montgomery school board approved a proposed 2025-2026 budget that includes a .84 mill property tax increase, which will help to fund the new school project.

The increase will bring the total millage in the district to 19.04%, and add $84 per $100,000 of assessed property to residents’ tax bills.

The biggest area of expenditure increase was from cyber school costs, which rose by $400,000 over the previous school year, business manager Grant Evangelisti said.

The board will have until its June meeting to pass a final budget.

Following board approval, current junior/senior high school principal, Dr. Joseph Stoudt, was named as the district’s new superintendent, beginning July 1. Stoudt’s initial term is slated to end June 30, 2030.

The board also accepted the resignation of fifth grade teacher Ethan Laudenslager, effective May 30.

In other financial matters, the board approved the transfer of $1,139,140 from the assigned fund balance to the committed fund balance.

Preparations for the construction of the new junior/senior high school is marching along, as the board awarded bids for the general construction contract to Lobar Inc., with a total bid award of $23,429,200; the HVAC and plumbing contracts to Silvertip Inc., with total bid awards of of $4,302,000 and $2,536,100, respectively; and the electrical contract to Lecce Electrical Inc., with a total bid award of $3,557,430; and approved the sanitary sewer agreement for the new junior/senior high school between the district, the Clinton Township supervisors and West Branch Regional Authority.

In other matters, the board approved David A. Jones II as special legal counsel for the district under the new firm, Saxton & Stump Lawyers and Consultants, and an agreement with Warrior Run School District for the exchange of students as education CTE interns to observe classroom instruction.

The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 20.