Frazier board approves hirings
PERRYOPOLIS – Hiring’s topped Frazier School District’s agenda Thursday as administrators, teachers and students enjoy the last 30 days or so of summer vacation. William Jerry Strother of Perryopolis, Kristen Blair of Belle Vernon and Lisa Marie Thomas of Vanderbilt were hired as elementary teachers for the 2005-2006 school year.
Strother will receive a recommended salary of $28,500, Blair will receive $27,000 and Thomas will be paid a recommended salary of $26,000.
Matthew Bednar of Pittsburgh was hired as a speech and language instructor and Rebecca Moffatt of Belle Vernon was hired as a sixth grade science teacher. Both will be paid $27,000.
Tenure status was granted to high school teacher Jason Pappas, Middle School teacher Deborah Matvey and Perry Elementary School teachers Mary Ellen Blystone, Anne Loya, Donna Wassilchalk and Susan Guiser.
Teachers Dawn Paden and Lisa Thomas were approved for the kindergarten through fifth grade summer language arts program, Session 1, and Timothy Sprinkle was approved for Session II.
David Fedor was approved for an extracurricular or contracted position for the school year as a mathematics tutor for the Middle and high school in addition to Vickey Kremposky, high school reading tutor, Vincent Rafail, Middle School reading tutor, Jim Natale, media equipment at the Middle School, Kathy Kiefer the InterAct Club and Michael Steeber, athletic director at a salary of $5,670.
The board additionally approved the football coaching staff as follows: Joe Kroskie, third assistant varsity coach (replacing Gary Dongilli, who is unable to coach), pending receipt of Act 34 and Act 151 clearances; Jim Shahan, seventh- and eighth-grade head coach, pending clearances; Dan Kordich, seventh- and eighth-grade assistant coach; Zech Myers, volunteer assistant coach, pending clearances; and Ken Culbertson, volunteer assistant coach.
The board hired Dennis O’Brien of Daisy Town as a computer technician at a beginning salary of $24,270.75, plus benefits, effective July 1. Board member Joseph Start cast the only negative vote on the hiring.
Brandon Van Sickle resigned as assistant band director in addition to Brandy Szejk, yearbook co-sponsor and Brandy Szejk as sophomore class sponsor.
In other matters, the board:
– Approved a request submitted by Suzanne Gongaware, assistant for federal and state grants, to apply for a $30,000 Safe Schools Initiative.
– Granted permission for the Frazier Youth Football Organization to use the practice and game fields and concession stands during the 2005 football season, beginning July 24 and ending in early November. The organization will be permitted to use the fields between the hours of 6 and 8:30 p.m.
– Approved a request by St. John’s Basketball League to use the Perry Elementary School gymnasium for practices from November to February or March from 6:30 to 9: p.m., Monday and Thursday evenings.
– Approved proposed changes to the Hall of Fame Charter, beginning with the Class of 2005-2006. One of the main changes deals with nominees who are not elected into the Hall of Fame.
The new rules allow nominees to automatically be renominated and reconsidered for a period of three years.
In other unrelated matters the board agreed to work with the borough and Rose Ann Oldham of Independence Street to try and correct a water run off problem she is having in her yard.