Oct 24, 2006 By Angie Oravec 3 min read

The Fayette County Area Vocational-Technical School Joint Operating Committee hired a kitchen/food service supervisor Monday, filling a position vacated when the last supervisor resigned over a year ago. Lynn A. Huggins was hired for the opening after committee members and sending school district administration interviewed candidates for the position at the evening meeting.

Under a 180-day contract, Huggins’ salary was set at $33,000 annually plus benefits with the position having an immediate start date.

In a related matter, the committee approved the purchase of equipment for the school’s kitchen after an electrical fire that occurred about a month ago destroyed certain items.

Vo-tech school director Dr. Ed Jeffreys noted a new oven, a steamer and pots and pans are among items set for purchase.

Meanwhile, the committee also approved the first reading of a revised Articles of Agreement, which defines the operation of the school.

The approval now will come before the boards of each of the four sending school districts, while the vo-tech joint operating committee will grant final approval.

The articles lay out the responsibilities of the committee, its membership and officers, transportation and selection of pupils, payment of operating expenses, application for grants, admission of additional school districts and more.

A comparison of the revised copy and the past Articles of Agreement show only slight changes, mainly items omitted. The largest item deleted was the cost for construction of a new building, improvements to the school or purchase of equipment be distributed among the school districts. In the revised copy, the item was omitted and not replaced.

A section also omitted and not replaced read that the agreement can be amended “from time to time” in the same manner by which it was adopted. If approved, the agreement will be reviewed every three years by participating school districts, the same procedure used in the past.

The committee also conducted the following business:

– Tabled approving the use of a substitute security person to man the front gate entrance of the school for the remainder of the school year. Jeffreys said the increased security measure was being requested in light of recent school shootings. He also proposed placing a guardhouse near the entrance gate of the school.

– Announced an open house will be held Nov. 1 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

– Approved the 2007 Battlebots competition with drafting, machine production and electrical shops participating in the project. Approximate cost to the school is $1,200 for instructor training, travel and materials to build the battlebot.

Tom DeGusipe, machine production instructor, said the competition will include a number of vocational-technical schools from southwestern Pennsylvania and will be held at Century III Mall near Pittsburgh in March.

“The kids are excited to do this,” said DeGusipe. “It will build on their teamwork skills.”

Though 2007 marks the second year the competition has been held in the region, it will be the vo-tech’s first year of participation.

– Agreed to change the next two month’s meeting dates due to holidays. Meetings will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 20 and Dec. 18. Reorganization of the operating committee where a new president will be elected will take place at the December meeting.

– Agreed to hold an auction of obsolete equipment including discarded furniture and student desks in November. Any district wishing to participate may call the school’s administrative offices to do so.

– Approved a leave of absence for head cook Veronica Kenney and added Steven Garofalo to the substitute list for this school year.