Consumer science teacher hired
The Southeastern Greene School Board hired a family consumer science teacher who will join the ranks of a handful of other teachers district officials are lauding as highly qualified. At a continued meeting this week, the board approved the hiring of Kathy Chafin for the teaching position, her salary being set at the Step 1 level of $30,958. Chafin will join six other newly-hired teachers who will begin their duties this school year.
“I am amazed at the quality of applicants we have had,” commented school Director Dr. Thomas Howard. “The board is not making any mistakes. We’re hiring the best quality out of a group of very qualified applicants.”
School District Superintendent Dr. Philip Savini Jr. said the district has employed “dually-certified” teachers who can be utilized in different areas and whose skills will strengthen the overall curriculum program geared toward preparing students for college and career plans.
Savini noted follow-up letters will be sent to all those who were not hired noting the district’s interest of placing them on a list of substitute teachers, which pays $80 per day.
The board also accepted two change orders from Vince’s Electric for $28,766 and $3,000 with an agreement to negotiate new costs not to exceed the current price.
The over $20,000 change order is to run copper wire for the electrical entrance and three feeds from the transformer to new panels in the 1924 section of the building. The change order for $3,000 is to provide a three-phase power panel in the electric room.
According to district Business Manager Patrick Sweeney, the electrical upgrades will double the amount of electricity coming into the junior/senior high to improve all operations.
Both motions passed 6-3 with school Director Ed Kamenos being the most vocal opponent to accepting the change orders. Directors Leonard Novak and Rick Barzanti also voted “no”.
“I can’t see the school district paying for the mistakes of the contractor,” said Kamenos, noting the district could pay half the costs. “Why do taxpayers in this school district have to eat all of their mistakes?”
Directors are resorting to having copper wire installed after learning aluminum wire cannot be obtained.
Installing copper wire was in the original contract, but the contractor approached the board with a proposal for $70,000 in savings if aluminum wire were to be installed.
They agreed to go with the proposal, but have now learned that aluminum wire is on back order with no delivery date in sight. With just cooper wiring, the district will still save over $40,000, noted Sweeney.
“Unfortunately in construction, you run into this from time to time,” said Gary Yoskovich, chairman of the buildings and grounds committee.
“I understand, but let (the contractor) suffer half the cost,” replied Kamenos.
The directors risked delaying the project if they did not approve the change orders, said Sweeney.
“(These change orders) come now because we’re within a week until completion,” noted Sweeney.
Director Ginny Eberhart said she was angry because of the change orders, but trusts that a district official will negotiate the best prices for the work.
The board also approved altering a five-year contract with Zalar Busing, which will provide the district’s transportation services this school year, to allow better utilization of liquid fuels rebates, according to Sweeney.
The original contract approved in March between the district and busing company provided for both parties to obtain liquid fuels rebates from state and federal taxes, though a more efficient way to obtain the rebates recently was discovered, noted Sweeney.
The next regular monthly meeting will be held Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.