The wise handling of money can go a long way for a community — and two boroughs made smart decisions this week in that regard.

The Slippery Rock Area School District and Zelienople Borough Council made financial decisions Monday that recognized benefits to area youths.

Slippery Rock's school board voted to allocate up to $3,000 from the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief fund toward a five-day introductory band camp for sixth-grade students that will run from July 19 to 23.

The funds can be used for the camp because it qualifies as learning recoupment. Band camps are encouraged for students interested in music because they enhance performance skills and build confidence.

In the wake of COVID-19, the camp is also a good way to get children with similar interests back into a setting that involves practicing a skill and allows for socialization that has been absent after a year of social distancing.

Alfonso Angelucci, district superintendent, said musical instruction for the band was affected this past year because students were spaced out during practice in the cafeteria and library. We're glad the school board allocated money for this program.

In Zelienople, borough council voted to forgive about $9,500 of a $16,109 loan for the Zelienople Memorial Skate Park.

The skate park was a long time in the making, stemming from a senior project by Seneca Valley student Trevor Barkley, who died in 2010 with two friends in a vehicle accident.

Trevor's father, Jeff Barkley, took up the project with numerous volunteers and obtained a $200,000 grant from the state and a $10,000 contribution from the Tony Hawk Foundation. Donations and proceeds from Lenten fish fries made up the difference for much of the rest of its funding.

After having worked on the park plans for years, Jeff Barkley died in November 2018, less than a year before its groundbreaking. Amy Barkley, his wife, and others brought the project to fruition.

At borough council's meeting, President Allen Bayer said it was an asset for the borough.

“I got to say, these people did just a yeoman's job in this whole project,” he said. “The little bit we're forgiving of the project as a whole is just totally insignificant. I just applaud their work, absolutely amazing.”

The skate park's value outweighs the amount owed to pay off on the loan, and we're glad borough council recognized this.

Currently, municipalities are still struggling with how to spend money amid the pandemic. We're glad to see communities recognizing that some things — a band camp or skate park — provide community benefits that are worth more than the money it costs to make them a reality.

— NCD