Correction: An earlier version contained incorrect information about property taxes. When: Columbia Borough school board meeting, Feb. 20. What happened: The board voted to approve a .4-mill tax reduction next year. The district will decrease property taxes by using a Pennsylvania Ready to Learn block grant in the amount of $179,600, Keith Ramsey, business manager, said after the meeting. Why it matters: Among the five options available for use of the grant money, the school board chose the one they believed would benefit the greatest number of residents, said board member Devon Fisher. Capital projects: The board approved the proposed five-year facilities improvement plan projected to cost $1.48 million. Work is expected to start this summer with repainting the interiors of the Hill Campus and Park Elementary, in addition to equipment replacements for Park and Taylor Middle School. The district will also install new lights for the football stadium. Staffing: The board approved Park Elementary Assistant Principal Danielle Eshleman to serve as acting principal of the school, active Feb. 25. She serves as a temporary replacement for Erin Burke, who resigned in December, and will continue to serve in the position until the district administration hires a new principal. What’s next: The school board will hold its next committee meeting on March 4, followed by another full board meeting on March 20, both at 6 p.m., in the district administration building, 200 N. Fifth St.
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