Amid packed crowd, EF delays budget vote; hears from teachers over contract negotiations

The Elizabeth Forward School Board moved the meeting to the middle school auditorium to accommodate the crowd.

In front of a packed crowd, the Elizabeth Forward School Board tabled voting on the 2026-27 budget and impending tax increase, citing ongoing teacher contract negotiations and several other reasons.

Teacher Eric Weimerskirch, front, spoke on behalf of district staff during Wednesday’s meeting as teacher contract negotiations are ongoing. Sarah Pellis / Mon Valley Independent

The deadline for school districts, career and technology centers and charter schools to adopt the final general fund budget is June 30. The EF teacher’s union contract expires June 30.

Members of the Elizabeth Forward Education Association spoke at Wednesday’s board meeting about fair contract negotiations that have been going on since January.

Around 177 EF employees signed a petition asking for a fair contract agreement that supports and retains teachers, guidance counselors, school psychologists and school nurses. Many of the signees, and their supporters, wore red T-shirts in a show of solidarity.

Veteran teacher Eric Weimerskirch, who has been with the district over 25 years, said everyone who signed the petition believes the district owes its children the very best, and the district should be a destination for young teachers and all teachers that want to stay in the district, have the means to stay here and to build long lasting careers.

“We also believe that a contract that’s fair to the teachers, and also fiscally responsible to the district is not only possible, but it’s within reach,” Weimerskirch said. “We’re getting there the deeper we go. We’re here in force tonight because we believe we can get a deal done. I ask this board, and the district administration to please let’s work on this, let’s get it done and let’s continue that great legacy that Elizabeth Forward has for many years to come.”

Some board members cited that since there are no final negotiations on the teacher contract, they were uncertain if they could vote on the budget due to the financial impact of the contract.

The proposed budget included a 1.3893 millage property tax increase, according to director of finance and operations Al Ragan, and would bring a little more than $1,103,000 of new school property tax revenue if they increase to the Index.

The millage rate would have been 29.7437.

A motion was made by Director Thomas Sharkey and seconded by Director Ken Honick to vote on a property tax increase.

Sharkey, Honick, and directors Daniel Novacek, Megan Ferraro, Jamie Evans, Travis Stoffer, Scott Henry all voted against a property tax increase.

Board members Keith Balint and Rick Cummings voted for a tax increase.

Sharkey said he is concerned about teachers’ starting salaries and paying teachers fairly, and said he wants to vote on a budget that settles those issues.

Henry said he voted no to the budget because of those reasons as well.

As a result, Henry made a separate motion to table the preliminary budget, which had estimated expenditures set at $54,136,442.

The expenditures had been reduced to $53,986,732 and estimated total revenues stays at $54,024,157.

Everyone except Balint voted to table the budget.

If the board does not pass a final budget by June 30, there will be concerns from the state Department of Education, and the district functionally could be shut down, according to Solicitor Megan Turnbull.

The board decided to hold a recessed meeting to vote on the budget at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the middle school auditorium.

While many residents spoke out against the renovations/ construction and the teacher’s contract, many discussions were about the budget.

Before public comment began Wednesday, Superintendent Keith Konyk addressed the public, and stated that he was speaking as someone that cares deeply about the community.

He asked for the public to be respectful, and while disagreement can happen, asked residents to think about the students that know what is going on in the community.

“Over the past several months, our community has been engaged in passionate discussions about taxes, construction projects, the future of our schools and the direction of our district,” Konyk said. “The decisions before us involve significant investments, real sacrifices and long term consequences. Reasonable people can disagree about those decisions. I think it’s worth asking ourselves one simple question: Is this who we want to be?”

Resident Tracy Kiss asked if there are things in place before a budget is passed to have open negotiations with the teachers to make sure they get what they deserve.

Resident Missy Haney asked the board to consider the spending they have done, and to decide what is best for the students without burdening the tax payers.

“You operate a business that has many state regulations, and your only means to raise money is through grants for tax increases,” resident Margaret Morgan said. “It makes your job difficult. But it’s also important for the school district to be frugal and responsible with our tax dollars. Careful budgeting and thoughtful spending are necessary. Prioritize needs over wants, and see cost effective solutions for our district.”