May 17, 2007 By Rebekah Sungala 3 min read

Albert Gallatin Area School Board agreed Wednesday to hire an employee who will retire in June as a consultant for the 2007-2008 school year. The board unanimously voted to hire Judith Psenicska as a curriculum consultant on an as-needed basis at a rate of $45 an hour, not to exceed 480 hours.

At 480 hours, the decision would cost the school district $21,600.

In April, the board accepted Psenicska’s retirement effective June 29. She currently serves as director of curriculum and instruction.

Superintendent Walter Vicinelly said Psenicska’s position will not immediately be filled and that her tasks will be divided among the administrative staff.

Vicinelly said Psenicska will be used as a consultant on certain issues that require more attention.

In other personnel-related business, the board also unanimously voted to renew a three-year contract with Lew Francis, who is chief of security for the school district.

According to the contract, Francis will be paid a salary of $29,105 and will receive an $873 increase in pay the second year and an $899 increase in pay the third year.

The board also conducted the following business:

– Recognized three teachers – Rosemary Novotny, Wayne Bowers and Toby Maykuth – for awards recently won.

– Accepted the retirement of three teachers and one classroom aide. Michael Bosnic and John Lozar will retire effective June 12, with John David’s retirement effective July 11. Classroom aide Lucretia Coles will retire effective June 12.

– Hired Miranda DeFrank as library aide at A.G. High School.

– Assigned Carl Bezjak as full-time administrative assistant in charge of secondary education effective June 13.

– Accepted the resignation of Jeff Rush as spring conditioning coach effective April 23 and hired Duane Dupont for the position effective April 24.

– Hired the following people for coaching positions at A.G. High School: Gregg Garland as assistant boys’ soccer coach; Zach Dillow and Tim Tracy as summer conditioning coaches; Katie Magerko as head junior varsity cheerleading coach; Zach Dillow, Jim Kubina, Mike Rich, Bruce Wallace and Gerris Wilcox as assistant football coaches; Jason Bandemer as head ninth-grade football coach; Jerome Vicinelly as assistant ninth-grade football coach; Trent Peebles as assistant ninth-grade volunteer coach; and Kirk Wright as assistant girls’ soccer coach.

– Hired Joe Embacer and John Kochis as head and assistant seventh and eighth grade football coaches, respectively, at A.G. North Middle School and named Jeff Myers as an assistant volunteer football coach.

– Hired Mark Dunham and Ken Musko as head and assistant seventh and eighth grade football coaches, respectively, at A.G. South Middle School.

– Awarded Valeria Bittinger a three-hour cafeteria position at A.G. South Middle School.