Could a brand-new multipurpose turf field be headed to Palmerton Area School District?

That was one of the big ticket items floated around at Tuesday's budget workshop as the school board resumed discussion on the 2014-15 budget.Following a presentation by district business manager Diane Serfass, director Clarence Myers broached the idea of a potential multipurpose field.Myers then recommended that the district look into a scenario in which it would set aside $1.5 million and engage its engineer, Barry Isett & Associates, about the potential all-weather football field and all-weather track.Director Barry Scherer noted that there would still be costs down the road if an all-weather field were to be installed.Myers explained his vision for the field."This is for all sports, not just football," Myers said. "I want everybody to practice and play."The consensus of the board was to have the district's engineer give estimates on the proposal.Softball/soccer field revisitedScherer then asked if the board should have the district's engineer provide an estimate on improving the east end of the junior high school.Several years back, the district purchased several homes along Fireline Road and tore them down, with the intent to put in a softball field and a soccer practice field."The district had purchased those properties, but it kind of fell by the wayside," he said. "I think at the time, the district was not in a financial situation to do anything with those properties, so they just sat there."Scherer said there is an engineer drawing that could be given to the engineer to use as an aid to see what had been drawn up and proposed for that site.Position requestAmong the position requests discussed at the workshop were for summer maintenance workers.Cost estimates for five or six summer maintenance workers will be reviewed.Scherer interjected at that point."I think we're going backward," he said. "Are people (the board) in favor of raising taxes?"Superintendent Scot Engler explained to Scherer that there still is time for the board to review the requests."One of the things we're looking to do is by the (April) 15th, we need to have direction from the board whether or not we will have any type of tax increase," Engler said. "The budget we've brought forth is certainly a needs-based budget, and it's what we need to operate the district."Scherer then explained his rationale."I'm not opposed to them," he said. "I just want to know where does the board expect the money to come from?"Engler said one of the "big drains" on the district is how it is impacted by cyber and charter schools, and added that the district plans to put a "full-court-press" on to bring those students back to the district.Board President Tammy Recker added, "We're going to have that uncomfortable question about taxes at our next meeting."The next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. April 15.Budget timelineIn February, the board approved next year's proposed $28,698,457 budget, which would result in a 2.8 percent, or 1.44-mill increase in the property tax rate.If the board were to grant final adoption to that budget, the property tax rate would be raised from 51.44 to 52.88 mills, which would mean a person whose home is valued at $100,000, and assessed at $50,000, would pay $2,644, or $72 more in property taxes to the district next year.It was noted at that time that the board intends to seek approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, or the Carbon County Court, for all referendum exceptions for which the district qualifies.On Tuesday, Serfass announced that the district has been approved for the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) referendum exception, in the amount of $159,357, or 0.519 mills.Also, the district will work to gather more information to refine planned expenditures for the 2014-15 fiscal year in order to minimize the impact to the taxpayers.A public presentation of the budget will be given in May.Final budget adoption must occur by June 30.Last June, the board adopted the 2013-14 budget with a zero-mill increase, which left the millage rate at 51.44 mills.That meant a person with a home valued at $100,000 and assessed at $50,000 again paid $2,572 in property taxes to the district.