What’ s news in MARS AREA
Mars Area School Board Approves Budget with No Tax Increase
Mars Area School Board voted in favor of the District’ s 2016-2017 General Fund Budget of $ 45.8 million with no millage increase.
The approved budget is the ninth consecutive with no real estate tax increase. Taxes will remain at 99 mills.
The 2016-2017 General Fund Budget is 1.2 percent($ 500,000) higher than the 2015- 2016 budget of $ 45.3 million and assumes no additional state or federal funding. District revenue from local, state and federal sources is anticipated to net a $ 1 million increase and will be used to offset expense increases.
Approximately $ 41 million( 89.5 percent) of the budget is earmarked for fixed costs such as salaries, benefits, retirement, transportation, cyber and special education. The remaining $ 4.8 million in budget expenditures would be used to pay for other district operations.
The district’ s educational program is primarily funded by the hometown tax base, which represents 72 percent of all district revenue sources. An increase in state support of $ 386,000 is primarily for the rise in the mandatory pension contribution for the 2016-2017 school year. Singledigit percentage increases in the pension contribution rate are anticipated for an additional three years unless a legislative solution at the state level is achieved.
The 2016-2017 General Fund Budget will be made available for public review on Mars Area School District’ s website( marsk12. org) and at the district’ s school buildings and Administration Office. Questions or comments regarding the budget may be submitted to Mars Area School Board via e-mail at masdboard @ marsk12. org or at any public board meetings.
For more information, call 724.625.1518.
Online Registration Open for Annual Golf Outing
Mars Planet Foundation will hold its fourth annual Golf Outing at noon on Friday, Aug. 19, at Rittswood Golf Course.
Check-in begins at 10:30 a. m., followed by lunch at 11 a. m. and then a four-person
scramble start at noon. Refreshments will be provided.
Cost is $ 300 per four-member team. Registration information is available online at marsplanetfoundation. org.
Various sponsorship opportunities are also available. For details, call 860.833.5324 or e-mail admin @ marsplanetfoundation. org.
Party Time at Party Lane!
Party Lane, located at 162 Brickyard Road, Suite 400, in Mars, will be host to a flurry of fun events for all ages. Below are just a few! For more information, a full calendar or to you reserve your spot in one of the events listed below, visit partylanepa. com.
Upcoming Events:
• Princess Party with Cinderella and Belle Aug. 6 from 3 to 5 p. m.
• Tropical Adventures Art Camp Aug. 9 through 12 from 9 a. m. to noon
• Lizards and Turtles and Snakes, Oh my! Aug. 10 from 4:30 to 8 p. m. with special show at 7 p. m.
• Parrot Paint and Sip( Adult Event) Aug. 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p. m.
• Light House Paint and Sip( Adult Event) Aug. 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p. m.
TRAIN RIDES on the Mars Shortline Railroad
The Mars Area History and Landmarks Society will host train rides for children and adults at their restored B & O Train Station property, just south of downtown Mars on Mars / Valencia Rd. every Friday from 10 a. m. to 2 p. m. as well as the second Saturday of every month from 1 to 4 p. m. from June through Sept., weather permitting. Donations are welcomed and appreciated. For more information, call 724.272.9588 or visit marshistory. org.
Photo by Dusanne Weinheimer
World of Mae 5K and 1- Mile FunRun
Be sure to join in on this year’ s World of Mae 5K and 1-Mile FunRun scheduled for Oct. 1 at Hartwood Acres. The event will include a 5K and 1 mile handicapped-friendly course as well as free face painting, Henna tattoo artistry, Hula Hoop Troop Interactive Entertainment, live music every half-mile, basket raffles, food, beverages and much more! Proceeds benefit Ada Mae Grashow.
Ada Mae Grashow is seven years old with Phelan McDermid Syndrome( PMS), an extremely rare genetic disorder. Despite being nonverbal, Ada’ s message is powerful and the Grashows want to help others by sharing her story.“ Learning about Ada’ s diagnosis when she was just over age five, allowed us to start understanding the mysteries we were constantly experiencing. By bringing awareness to PMS, Ada’ s story sparks empathy and acceptance for individuals with disabilities. Because PMS is so rare, we hope to promote earlier diagnosis and help other families get the proper treatment that their loved ones with PMS deserve,” says Ada’ s mother, Katie Grashow. The Grashows’ foundation, World of Mae, is dedicated to empowering Ada as well as the surrounding community. World of Mae holds an annual festival uniquely designed to celebrate people of ALL abilities and disabilities.
For more information and to follow Ada’ s story, visit facebook. com / worldofmae. home or email kathryngrashow @ yahoo. com.
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