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Pandora BeadsThe West Mifflin Area school board on Thursday adopted a final $42.03 million budget for 2011-2012 that includes no tax hike, but also no reserve fund. The board struggled in recent months to balance the spending plan, a task made difficult by the district's $3.1 million deficit and a proposed state funding cut of $1.2 million. The balancing act required the elimination of 47 district jobs, including 22 teachers.

Pandora Charms On SaleThe preliminary budget approved in May included a 0.43-mill tax hike and a $50 pay-to-play fee for sports and activities. But both items were removed from the budget draft the board received last week and tax revenue totals were increased in the new draft. Business manager Dennis Cmar said original projections for tax revenues were too conservative. The final budget also includes a revamped transportation plan that calls for using larger buses that can seat up to 84 students, consolidating routes, eliminating stops and requiring students to walk up to one-half mile to their bus stops. Pandora Charms

The new plan could save the district up to $200,000, according to a presentation by David Sunstein, owner of Pennsylvania Coach Lines, which provides bus service to West Mifflin schools. School directors Nick Alexandroff, Ted Cale and Michael Price voted against the budget. School director Phil Shar made a motion to reinstate indoor track, which was eliminated from the budget, at a cost of between $6,000 and $7,000. But the motion was voted down after superintendent Janet Sardon told the board there was no money for the program. That action prompted school director Albert Graham to resurrect the idea of charging a fee for extracurricular activities. But there was no second to his motion and board members said they wanted to wait to see how that system works in other districts that recently adopted it.

Pandora Charms Mr. Price said the board decided not to charge the fees this year over concerns about how the money would be collected and the fairness of charging students who don't get much play time in a sport. In other business, the board in a 5-4 vote approved a financial settlement with former public relations coordinator and grant writer Robyn Tedesco. Mrs. Tedesco filed a federal lawsuit with the district after she was furloughed a year ago due to budget difficulties. In her lawsuit she said the district violated the terms of her five-year employment contract. Solicitor Jack Cambest said the financial terms of the settlement cannot be released until all parties have signed the agreement. Pandora Beads Sale