Brownsville school officials approve security director contract
The Brownsville Area School Board this month approved the contract of district Security Director David Simpson, whom the board hired last month pending the two parties reaching an agreement on a final contract.
Terms of the contract include a 205-day annual work schedule and a salary of $48,000.
Simpson started in the position at the beginning of February. He will supervise the district’s security team and be responsible for developing and implementing a district-wide emergency and safety plan.
School directors approved an early retirement incentive for teachers on a 7-1 vote. Business manager Bill Boucher said the district is offering health care for a period of 10 years to teachers who opt for voluntary early retirement.
Boucher said the move will save the district about $20,000 a year if a retired teacher is replaced with a new hire on Step 1 of the pay scale, and $70,000 a year if district chooses to not fill the position.
Dorsey voted in opposition of the measure. Director Andy Assad was not in attendance.
Brownsville students may have an easier time making the grade and competing with peers from other schools for scholarships and college acceptance with a change the board made to the grading scale.
Beginning with the 2018-19 school year, the district will operate on a 10-point scale, where 90 percent and above is considered an A, 80 percent to 89 percent is a B, etc.
Hartbauer said the district is currently using an outdated grading scale compared to other area districts. The new scale, he said, will put Brownsville students on an even playing field.
In other business, the board:
n Adjusted the daily pay rate for substitute teachers as follows: first 60 days, $100; after 60 days, $110; special incentive for retired Brownsville Area School District teachers, first 60 days, $105; after 60 days, $115.
n Approved an athletic trainer contract with NovaCare in the amount of $35,000.
n Approved a resolution opposing Education Savings Account (ESA) voucher programs proposed by Pennsylvania Senate Bill 2.
n Added Denni Claycomb to the professional substitute list.