Connellsville school board seats new members
CONNELLSVILLE — Connellsville Area School Board welcomed two new members to the panel Wednesday as they and three others re-elected to the board were administered the oath of office.
Fayette County Judge John F. Wagner conducted the brief ceremony for returning directors Kevin Lape, Francis Mongell and Jon Detwiler and newcomers Paul Harshman and Dan Martucci.
While both have spent the past several months scrutinizing budget figures, visiting elementary schools in need of repair and are well aware of possible state funding cuts for the coming year, Harshman and Martucci are eager to begin their terms.
“I told my wife that all I want to do is to make a difference,” said Harshman as he talked about his ideas for the district.
Aware that the toughest decisions over the next four years would be tied to expenditures and the closure of schools, Harshman began reviewing prior budgets and feasibility studies in preparation of his taking office.
“There are going to be a lot of hard decisions to make,” he said. “But, they are going to have to be made.”
The board has already taken the first step in consolidating the district by agreeing to move the freshman class from the junior high schools into the senior high beginning next year, said Harshman.
“Now it is time to begin developing a plan as to what is to be done next,” he said.
The next phase should be to consolidate the two junior high schools to trim duplicate positions and cut costs, Harshman added, followed by retrofitting the now-empty building to accommodate elementary students.
“I would like to see us develop a three-year plan, one that would start the process and get us moving in the right direction,” he said.
Harshman acknowledges that moving the freshman class to the high school or closing schools will not fully equalize any budgetary shortfalls and plans to recommend the district seek grant funding to improve its technological services and consider a retirement incentive program to reduce staffing.
Other cost-saving measures he plans to introduce for discussion include implementing a building preventative maintenance program and adding maintenance and technology personnel to the substitute list.
Martucci agrees that many challenges are ahead for the board, but they are not insurmountable if the board members work together.
The recent strategic planning sessions being conducted by the board, he said, has given the public the opportunity to voice its concerns and ideas and to view all the information the board is also using to determine a long-range plan for the district.
“Every study shows the need for schools to be closed and consolidated,” he said, adding that he has yet to make up his mind as to what direction to pursue.
While facing likely budget deficits, renovation projects, the hiring of a new superintendent and other issues, Martucci said that he is ready for the challenges.
“I like being involved and challenged,” he said. “I might not make the popular decision, but if I feel it is right in my heart, I’m going to stick with it.
“Our aim is to educate these young kids and get them ready for the real world and I’m going to make sure that happens.”