Vo-tech accepts teacher’s retirement
GEORGES TWP. – Three hours and two executive sessions later, the Fayette County Area Vocational-Technical School Operating Committee voted Monday night to accept the retirement of a 27-year veteran of the school, though the move came with controversy. The committee voted to accept the retirement of heating, ventilation and air conditioning instructor Robert Washabaugh, pursuant to a revised memorandum of understanding that committee members discussed in executive session.
The Rev. Robert Spence asked the committee after taking the action, almost three hours after the meeting began, what action was taken and why the committee could not comment further. He said that solicitor Gary Frankhouser left the executive session to speak with Washabaugh, an action that only led to more suspicion and confusion among the audience.
“All these people don’t know what happened here. You are supposed to follow parliamentary procedure, and you have not done that,” Spence said. “The taxpayers have to know.”
Frankhouser said that the matter could not be discussed publicly because the committee has to maintain confidentiality of all employees when discussing personnel matters.
“The committee voted to accept his retirement with the amended memorandum, and that is the extent of the information that can be provided,” Frankhouser said. “I can’t give you anything more.”
Washabaugh, after the board had voted to enter into a third executive session with Sally Bartuch on another personnel matter, declined to comment further, saying he wanted to wait and see if he would have an opportunity to speak with the committee.
According to people at the meeting, the issue with Bartuch centers on a candidate for school board who is also a vo-tech employee, an issue that Frankhouser said must be addressed in executive session because it deals with a specific school employee.
Stella Broadwater, director with Brownsville Area School District and not a current member of the vo-tech operating committee, said the issue was already printed in the newspaper and should not be discussed behind closed doors.
“If it was already publicized in the newspaper, then it is not an executive session matter,” she said. “If you go behind closed doors, you are in violation of the Sunshine Law.”
Uniontown school director Dorothy Grahek gathered her materials and was prepared to leave the session, saying she had no knowledge of the personnel issue, though it appeared most of the audience knew the topic.
“We’re at a disadvantage here,” she said, returning to her seat and staying for the closed session.
Committee president Angelo Giachetti said Frankhouser told him the matter was a personnel issue and therefore needed to be discussed in executive session, and he deferred to the advice of the solicitor.
Any action taken following the third executive session was not available as of presstime.
Meanwhile, the committee voted to approve the 2003-04 tentative budget at $3,551,218, an almost 10 percent increase from the current year. Committee members approved the spending plan 11-0, though several members said cuts would have to be made before they would approve the final 2003-04 budget.
Laurel Highlands school director Shirley Kefover was absent Monday.
The committee’s next regular meeting is scheduled for May 27 at 6 p.m. because of the Memorial Day holiday.