IN Mars Area Fall 2016 | Page 8

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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