Central Greene hires new high school principal
WAYNESBURG — Robert Stephenson, assistant principal at Waynesburg Central High School, was hired Tuesday as high school principal, replacing Dave Mason, who was fired last month by the Central Greene School Board.
Stephenson, who has been serving as administrator in charge at the high school since the start of the 2015-16 school year, was hired by a 6-3 vote, with board members Sharon Bennett, Bridget Montgomery and Rachael Shultz casting the negative votes.
Bennett, however, said her vote was not reflective of Stephenson’s ability, but rather the interpretation of the Act 93 contract setting salaries and fringe benefits. Stephenson will be paid $93,568 for the remainder of the year.
“I think Bob Stephenson will do an excellent job,” she said. Montgomery also voted against the motion for similar reasons.
In a related matter, the board voted to appoint Justin Stephenson as acting assistant principal and acting athletic director at the high school effective Jan. 4. He is currently the assistant principal at Margaret Bell Miller Middle School.
Robert Stephenson’s district web page states that prior to becoming assistant principal, he served the district as athletic director and then as athletic director/assistant principal.
“My current role, (assistant principal) has allowed me to become more actively involved in our building with the students, faculty, and staff,” he said.
Mason, who has been with the district for nearly 15 years, previously serving as a music teacher and assistant principal, was initially suspended with pay Aug. 21 and then without pay Sept. 23. At a special meeting Dec. 5, the board voted 7-2 to fire Mason, offering no explanation except to say “it was a personnel matter.”
Subsequently, Superintendent Brian Uplinger issued an “official” press release, saying the board terminated/discharged Mason for violating Section 11-1122 of the Pennsylvania School Code.
Provisions of the code’s section states in part: “The only valid causes for termination of a contract … entered into with a professional employee shall be immorality; incompetency; unsatisfactory teaching performance; intemperance; cruelty; persistent negligence in the performance of duties; and willful neglect of duties.”
In another matter, after some considerable debate over language in the administration’s recommendation, the board approved a proposed 2016-17 general fund operating budget that reflects a $1,015,827 deficit.
The present millage rate of 26.1044 was increased to 26.9397, or 3.2 percent, the district’s index ceiling. Expenditures are anticipated to be $34,071,111, while revenues, using the percentage index increase, are expected to be $33,055.284.
“We have to show need to raise millage above the index,” said James Shargots, director of business affairs and board secretary.
With the state’s budget still in flux, Uplinger said it is still an unknown how much additional money the district may receive. “These numbers will probably change before we adopt our final budget,” he said.
In other business, the board:
n Eliminated one first-grade teaching position at the elementary school;
n Approved David C. Jones as seventh and eighth-grade assistant softball coach; and
n Approved Uplinger as the open records officer for the school district.