A proposal to establish a property tax rebate program for senior citizens was tabled Tuesday by the Pine-Richland school board for some fine tuning.

Although there were no objections to the concept of rebates for qualified senior citizens, some board members raised concerns about the wording of the proposal.

Director Gary Deschamps suggested adopting a 10-page resolution passed in 2005 by Columbia Borough School District in Lancaster County that was modeled after the Pennsylvania Property Tax Rebate program.

Pine-Richland's proposed program also is modeled after the state's program, but it does not offer rebates to renters, as the state does.

Rebates would range from $250 to $650, depending on a person's income. Those qualifying include seniors age 65 or older and widows/widowers age 50 and older. The income limit is $35,000. That figure excludes half of Social Security income.

Treasurer Dennis Sundo, who presented the proposal, said there would be no problem with delaying a decision for a few weeks to give him time to work on the wording.

Using 2006 statistics, Mr. Sundo estimated the board would have paid out about $99,000 in rebates if the program had been in place in 2006. That represents less than 1 percent of this year's $62.3 million budget.

In the past, board members have questioned whether they have the authority to establish a tax rebate program.

"We are changing what school board members do in Pine-Richland," said board Chairman Stephen Hawbaker, adding that he was elected to make decisions about schools, not taxes. "This changes my role as a school board director."

Mr. Deschamps agreed. "This is a monumental decision."

Solicitor Patrick Clair told the board there are arguments pro and con, but he believes the school board is not authorized to establish a tax rebate program because no statute gives it the authority to do so.

However, Mr. Clair said a solicitor in another school district has argued that local tax agencies can adopt such programs because Pennsylvania's Constitution allows it.

"Neither of us are judges," Mr. Clair said, and the rebate programs have not been challenged in court.

Mr. Sundo noted that about 15 school districts in the state have adopted similar programs.

The matter is expected to be on the board's Nov. 11 agenda.

In other business, the board:

• Awarded a $64,048 robotics equipment contract to Allegheny Educational Systems Inc. of Natrona Heights. The equipment will be used for classes at Pine-Richland High School.

• Did not vote on a $31,363 change order to revise the HVAC system for three rooms at Eden Hall Upper Elementary School. Although change orders are routinely approved by the board with little discussion, this item was questioned because of the cost. Director Kevin Nigh suggested three alternatives that he would like to see explored before the board votes on the proposed change.