School board discusses legal services
Uniontown Area School Board failed to pass a motion Monday night to review proposals for a new solicitor. Director Thomas George asked the board to consider other offers for legal services for the board in an attempt to assess whether or not retaining the current solicitor, Michael Brungo of Brungo and Maiello, is the best decision financially.
“Even though the firm has given us a nice deal, is it the best deal?” George said.
George, along with directors Bill Gerke and Lloyd Williams, voted in favor, but the motion failed 3-6.
Also during the meeting, the board recognized several Ben Franklin School students for their achievements in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science program.
The board also lauded the efforts and accomplishments of the staff and students of Lafayette School.
“This school board recognizes this impressive group of students who have helped assist Lafayette in reaching Adequate Yearly Progress status for the first time in history,” said Superintendent Charles Machesky. “In terms of reading and math, Lafayette School made the most improvement of all our elementary schools in Uniontown. New School. New Philosophy. New Beginnings.”
The board also considered a request from stage crew alumni to rename the renovated auditorium at the high school as the Bob Caldwell Auditorium. Caldwell has been a long-time director of the auditorium, coordinating school and outside functions in the space. Alumni presented the board with a petition containing more than 500 signatures of those who would like to see the space named after Caldwell.
Machesky said the board will review the request and be prepared to make a decision in July or August.
In a unanimous vote, directors approved the sale of two modular buildings at Lafayette School to New Life Covenant Church for $10,000.
The board also approved the sale of two modular buildings at the high school to GNH Trucking for $6,000.
Directors approved and acknowledged a 9.3 percent increase of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance rates for the 2010-2011 school term.
An approval from the board to collect delinquent unpaid 2009 per capita tax settlements was also made yesterday.
“We will be pursuing collection,” Machesky said.
Director Kenneth G. Meadows, Intermediate Unit 1 representative, questioned the board about IU’s proposal for cyber school. According to Machesky, the annual fee would be $30,000.
“We are not prepared to make a movement on this at this time,” he said.
In other business, the board:
n Voted 7-2 to recommend approval to authorize the solicitor to proceed with the litigation involving Autoland and its obligation for the payment of mercantile tax and to discontinue any further attempt to reach settlement. The board also authorized the solicitor to seek a determination by the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County.
n Accepted the resignation of David R. Hixson, an elementary teacher at Menallen School with 22 years of service. The board also accepted the resignations of part-time security officers Richared Fauvie and Adam Perl.
n Approved the rehiring of secretaries, clerk typists, teacher’s aides, confidential secretaries and security personnel for the 2010-2011 school term.
The board approved the rehiring of medical personnel, including chiropractor Robert F. Baker at no fee, Drs. Concepto and May Flores for school physicals at $6 per exam, Dr. Geoffrey Gwynn Jr. as dental consultant at $3 per exam and Dr. Brian Mudry as the football physician for $700 per year.
n Tabled the approval of a school photographer until the solicitor can review proposals to ensure they meet all requirements.