BVA school board members at odds over bill from architectural firm
ROSTRAVER TWP. — The regular meeting of the Belle Vernon Area School Board got testy Monday when several members began to argue about a bill from an architectural firm.
Board member Gloria Yuschak questioned Superintendent John Wilkinson why the district was paying HHSDR Architects/Engineers $9,985 for an assessment of work that needs to be done to build a new gymnasium and track and field facility.
“Not only is this a waste of money, but I don’t remember the board giving its consent to go ahead with this study,” said Yuschak, before several other board members exchanged accusations.
Vice President Lou Rood countered by telling Yuschak that the board made an agreement at an earlier meeting to conduct the study.
“We agreed that we needed to improve our facilities, and the first step would be to decide which direction we should take,” he said. “We need to calm down and quit throwing stones at each other.”
According to Dr. Wilkinson, the district has spent nearly $30,000 the past five years for this study. Currently, plans are on hold for any forward movement with the project.
“There has been a lot of debate about what we should do,” said President Joe Grata. “For one thing, this project would be very expensive. Also, it would involve moving around some of the existing facilities.”
Grata asked Dr. Wilkinson to prepare a report for the next meeting, itemizing what has been spent to date for the study and what has been accomplished by HHSDR.
In other business, the board recognized Celeste Trilli Palamara and Natalie Bialon, two representatives from the Reality Tour Committee, a community-based drug prevention system that brings together parents and students to talk about the consequences of drug and alcohol addiction.
Dr. Wilkinson also announced that the district has recently revised its immunizations and communicable diseases policy, as well as its attendance policy.
In addition, the board approved the hiring of Tom Cameron, varsity girls soccer head coach; Kari Horrel, varsity head cheer coach; Alfon Cook, volunteer varsity football coach; Andy Temoshenka, volunteer varsity girls soccer coach; Taylor Moravec, volunteer varsity cheer coach; and Matt Horzempka, marching band assistant director.