Feb 24, 2008 By Rebekah Sungala 4 min read

Laurel Highlands School Board took no action at Thursday’s meeting in regard to the proposed construction of a new press box at the high school field. Board members expressed concern at a previous work session that bids came in about $200,000 more than expected and removed the item from Thursday’s agenda.

Board President Angelo Giachetti said the project is under review and will be discussed at the next buildings and grounds committee meeting.

Giachetti said board members would consider possible ways to reduce project costs, noting that financing options also will be considered.

The district budgeted $400,000 to build a three-story cement block building that would house the press box and concession stand. The building also would have restrooms and storage space.

The lowest bids for general construction, electric and plumbing came in at $601,800. Engineer John Over of K-2 Engineering of Uniontown recommended the district budget an additional $30,000 for extra expenses, which brings the cost up to $632,700.

With the $30,000 included, the total cost of the project is $632,700, not including engineering fees.

The current press box was built in the mid-1990s and was only meant to be a temporary structure until a more permanent building could be built.

Giachetti previously said the press box is in bad shape, citing safety concerns.

As for other business, the school board unanimously agreed by a 7-0 vote to allow voting at the middle school and Hatfield Elementary. Board members Mary Conway and Curtis Jacobs were absent from Thursday’s meeting.

Voting used to take place at the South Union Township Volunteer Fire Department and South Union Township Recreation Center, but will be moved to the middle and elementary school, respectively.

Clark, Hutchinson and Marshall elementary schools are already polling places.

Giachetti said classes will not be held when voting takes place.

In other business, the school board accepted the acknowledgement and verification by the state Board of Education in regard to the certification of results from the Fayette County Election Bureau.

In November, voters in the school district supported switching to at-large voting.

Voters were asked to answer a referendum question asking whether they favored a change to at-large voting from regional voting.

The referendum question garnered 2,938 “yes” votes, or 69 percent of the vote opposed, to 1,298 “no” votes, which made up 31 percent of the vote.

District solicitor Gary Frankhouser previously said the change will enable voters to elect school directors from any part of the district instead of from three regions. At-large voting will begin with 2009 school board race, he said.

In other business, the school board hired coaches for the 2008 season.

The hires are as follows: William Kooser, John Yonker and Gerald Pegg as assistant varsity track coaches; Wendy Craft as middle school head track coach; Justin Ward, Mary Yonker and Jacob Miller as middle school assistant track coaches; Ron Popovich as assistant varsity baseball coach; Scott DeBerry as ninth grade head baseball coach; Bob Madison as ninth grade assistant baseball coach; Sam Capranica as assistant varsity softball coach; Michael Barry as ninth grade head softball coach; Joe Pergar as middle school head softball coach; and Michael Guthrie as middle school assistant softball coach.

The following people were approved as volunteer coaches: Ted Sova II and Kevin Ready as assistant ninth grade baseball coaches; John Boskovich as assistant junior varsity baseball coach; Lee Landman as assistant varsity baseball coach; Jennifer Barry as assistant junior varsity softball coach; Rich Mehall as assistant varsity softball coach; and Kirsty Buckley as assistant middle school softball coach.

In unrelated matters, the school board asked the public to support the Laurel Highlands Academic Foundation by attending a dinner fund-raiser March 8 prior to a musical performance of “Grease.”

“Mustang Burger Palace” will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. prior to the performance. Hartsek Catering of Uniontown will provide food. Tickets are $20 and include dinner, plus admission to the show. Tickets can be purchased by calling Kim Pegg at 724-437-2821.

The school board also conducted the following business:

– Announced a facilities planning committee meeting was held Feb. 5, noting that committee members toured the high school Jan. 23. The committee was formed to gain public input into the upcoming high school renovation project. The next committee meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 11 in the high school library.

– Recognized Giachetti for serving 17 years on the board of directors of the Fayette County Vocational-Technical School. Giachetti was presented with an award from the vo-tech.

– Approved the general operating budget for Intermediate Unit 1 for the 2008-2009 school year in the amount $2.1 million. The school district contributes $38,156.

– Approved a 60-month lease agreement with Ford Business Machines from 24 digital black and white copy machines and one color printer at a cost of $10,293 per month.