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Charleroi Area to test water for lead

By Eric Morris emorris@heraldstandard.Com 3 min read

CHARLEROI — Charleroi Area School District will test its water lines for lead at the beginning of the upcoming school year.

Superintendent Dr. Ed Zelich informed the school board Tuesday that the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi will conduct the testing at the district’s Fallowfield Township campus in early September.

Zelich said it will be the first lead test for the district in his three years as superintendent.

“We figured that’s the best date to get the water flowing through the lines to do some lead testing. There’s been no problem, but it’s better to be proactive than reactive,” said Zelich.

On a related note, Zelich said the West Virginia Water Research Institute at West Virginia University has asked to return to the district for the third straight year to perform additional testing on the water system to search for the formation of trihalomethanes, or THMs — chemical compounds that can cause health problems.

Zelich said the buildup of THMs can be high in water systems that are not frequently used or flushed, like that of school during summer.

The tests, which will be conducted in the near future, will come at no cost to the district, said Zelich. He said tests performed by WVU in the last two years have been positive for the district.

“Everything’s done good and well here. But we want to make sure we’re on the cutting edge, keeping safety paramount for our students and staff,” Zelich said.

Turning to other matters, the district approved a tax anticipation line of credit through Charleroi Federal Savings Bank for an estimated $2.5 million to be used for operational expenses during the 2017-18 school year.

Zelich said the credit line will help cover expenses while the district awaits tax revenue and makes a bond payment Sept. 1. He said the additional money is necessary due to a shortage in the district fund balance.

School directors also heard from 1962 Charleroi Area graduate and retired Upper St. Clair teacher Rich Saccani, who voiced his concern for the lack of a district hall of fame to honor individuals from Charleroi who have attained an exceptional level of recognition in athletics, arts, academics, etc.

Saccani said he would like to see the district find a way to recognize individuals beyond the accolades collected in its alumni room, and to nominate former student athletes to the WPIAL Hall of Fame for the first time.

Also Tuesday, the board:

n Hired Shane Alton as middle school football head coach and Jamie Pellegrini as middle school football assistant coach at salaries of $1,450 and $1,000, respectively.

n Named Tanya Chaney as elementary center 21st-century instructor for the district’s summer/after-school program at $21 an hour.

n Approved the following stipends at the following annual rates: middle school dean of students, $1,500; homeless coordinator, $1,500; PIMS coordinator, $5,000; maintenance supervisor, $15,000; and mechanic stipend, $5,000.

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