Board member resigns
CARMICHAELS – The Carmichaels Area School Board has accepted the resignation of board member Michael Conte and plans to find someone to fill the vacancy next month. Conte, who moved out of the school district, was serving his eighth year on the board and his term was due to expire this year, Superintendent Craig Baily said.
His former seat on the board will be open in next year’s elections and who ever the board appoints will have to run in the election if he or she wants to keep the position, said Bailey at the board’s monthly meeting Thursday.
If the board does not select a replacement in 30 days, a Greene County Court judge will make the appointment, said solicitor Samuel Davis.
Davis said the appointee has to be a district resident.
Baily said anybody interested in the board seat should call his office at 724-966-5045 (extension 4270) by Tuesday.
Those who call will be sent a questionnaire, which must be returned to Baily’s office by Oct. 12.
Board members will review the responses and vote on a replacement on Oct. 19.
Davis said board members will have the opportunity to nominate people for the position before voting on the nominees.
Board member Ronald Kerr Sr. was named board treasurer, a position that Conte held.
In unrelated business, the board approved a $269,000 technology infrastructure upgrade designed to merge the district’s phone, computer and video systems into one network.
Board members unanimously approved a lease-purchase agreement for the equipment needed for the upgrade after technology administrator Mark Batis outlined the project.
Cisco makes the equipment, which will be purchased through Verizon and the price includes training for district employees, Batis said at Thursday’s board meeting.
He said the equipment is worth around $500,000.
Business manager Amy Todd said the district will pay for the upgrade through a five-year financing plan.
The district will receive approximately $10,000 a year through 2011 from its beverage contract with Coca-Cola, Baily said.
Baily said the diet beverages and flavored water that Coke will provide meet the district’s wellness policy.
The contract calls for Coke to update vending equipment and not raise prices, Baily said.
He said the district also received quotes from Pepsi and RC Cola.
In personnel matters, the board:
– Hired Kristy Marzo as a kindergarten teacher.
– Hired Amy Metz as the seventh and eighth grade girls’ volleyball coach.
– Hired Daysha Donaldson as the seventh- and eighthgrade girls’ softball coach.
– Appointed board member Melodie Berardi to the tax abatement appeal board.