Uniontown School Board delays action on budget
Still awaiting word on how much of a contribution to the budget they may expect from the state, Uniontown Area School Board has delayed a final vote on the 2002-2003 spending plan. “There is no news on the state budget, and until we know that, we’ll not vote on the budget,” said director William Rittenhouse, the head of the school board’s finance committee.
The school directors have cut about half of the $1 million deficit they had when they passed a $30.9 million tentative budget last month, announcing at Monday’s business meeting that some of the savings will come from realigning administrators.
Rittenhouse said a shortfall of about $500,000 remains between the anticipated revenue and projected expenses.
Keeping in mind the next fiscal year’s budget for the school districts as well as the state must be passed before July 1, the school board scheduled a special meeting for Friday, June 28, at 6 p.m. to address the budget and general business.
Meanwhile, the school board voted on several changes among the administrators.
The board eliminated the positions of director of education and supervisor of special education.
Instead, the board hired Debbie Rittenhouse, a first grade teacher at Franklin School, as elementary (kindergarten to eighth grade) curriculum coordinator at $62,000 a year and Carolyn Krepps, the district’s home and school visitor and a former guidance counselor, as supervisor of pupil personnel at $60,000. They assigned the duties of secondary (ninth to 12th grades) curriculum coordinator to administrative assistant Richard Constantine, with no added stipend.
Merridy Greenlief is retiring from the director of education position, and Chuck Machesky is stepping into the superintendent’s position from supervisor of special education.
Machesky said he recommended the changes, which would take place when he assumes the superintendent’s position July 1.
He said Debbie Rittenhouse and Krepps have principal certification, and Krepps, who would handle the special education issues, also has pupil personnel credentials.
The school board hired Todd Hamel, at a $61,000 salary, as technology coordinator to replace the retiring William Freas. Hamel taught computer classes half time at the high school and worked half time with the district’s computer technology.
Machesky said the school board’s administration moves would save the district $104,000 in salaries and $12,000 in benefits. He said he was looking to trim some expenses in the wake of the $1 million deficit and has confidence in the results.
“I feel we will have hard-working individuals in these positions,” Machesky said.
Director Susan Clay made the motion and received six yes votes. Director Dorothy Grahek voted no and director Tammy Boyle was absent. Rittenhouse abstained from voting since Debbie Rittenhouse is his wife.
Regarding budget matters, the board adopted a resolution to take out a $2 million tax anticipation note from PNC bank for the 2002-2003 school year, at 2.75 percent interest. The board also agreed to pay off a $2.1 million tax anticipation note that is due June 28 to National City Bank. They named depositories for various funds.
The school board considered the administration realignment during a three-hour executive session that President Harry “Dutch” Kaufman said also included discussion on coaching positions, discipline of a non-professional employee, the technology coordinator position and potential real estate site for the administration building.
The board took no action on the administration offices or the discipline issue. Kaufman and solicitor Michael Brungo declined afterward to give any details about the employee discipline.
Also, the school board approved an $85,000 contract with New Atlas for sewerage work as part of the Franklin School renovation project.
The work had been delayed while the school district awaited approval of the sewerage plan from the state Department of Environmental Protection. Robert Smalley, director of buildings and grounds, said approval has been received and he expects a formal notice soon. The board made the contract for the work contingent on the DEP notice.
They agreed on the purchase of new furniture for Franklin School through state contracts in the amounts of $43,330 and $7,910.
Further, the board accepted a number of retirements.
Retiring from the high school are Ralph Bliss, assistant in-school suspension coordinator; James Bodnar, driver’s education teacher; Robert E. Brashear, band director and music teacher; Sandra McCain, English/reading teacher; Rita Patronas, science teacher; Francis J. Piern, social studies teacher; and Robert Roche, technology education teacher.
They also accepted the retirement of Sharon A. Ruby as a confidential secretary assigned to the director of education.
Director Charles Castor presented a resolution by the school board to Superintendent Dr. Darrell Uphold, who retires June 28, in recognition of his 40 years of service to the district.