Frazier Hires Business Manager, Appoints Acting Superintendent
PERRYOPOLIS – The Frazier School Board Thursday hired a business manager while appointing a former principal to serve as acting superintendent for the next six months.
Tracy A. Harris of Jefferson Hills will take on the role of business manager effective September 10 at a salary of $80,000 under a four-year contract.
“I was interested in change,” said Harris.
Harris replaces Tom Shetterly, who resigned last month to take a position with Intermediate Unit 1.
Harris has been employed as business manager of the California Area School District for the last five years.
Prior to that, Harris served as assistant business manager for three years in the Allegheny School District with seven years experince as an auditor with a firm in Mount Lebanon.
A resignation effective today from Dr. Frederick Smeigh, acting superintendent, prompted the board in a 7-2 vote to appoint Ken Meadows to the post who retired in June as elementary principal.
Meadows will start Aug. 1 at a salary of $55,000.
Voting in favor were Kathy Burkholder, Lisa Strickler, John Sterdis, John Strickler, Charles “Bud” Petrosky, Vicki Olexa and Dave Simmons with Stacey Erdely, board president, and Deborah Vargo-Alekson opposed.
Smeigh, who was absent from the meeting, served as former superintendent with the board agreeing to hire him as acting superintendent in May.
In a separate personnel issue, the board voted 8-1 to hire nine professional staff employees based on administration recommendations at step one of the Frazier Education Association agreement for the 2011-2012 school year.
Petrosky cast the lone no vote stating that the middle school candidates were interviewed by several principals while the elementary candidates were not.
Those hired at the elementary level included Edward Elnikar, Kelsey Benzenhoefer, and Rebecca Kara, each at master’s level salaries at $26,500; Laura Hough Smith and Rachel Whittaker, bachelor’s level salaries each at $25,000.
Additionally, John Paull was hired as seventh grade science teacher at a bachelor’s level salary of $25,000; Jessica Losteter, sixth grade geography, master’s level at $26,500; Michael Shannon, eighth grade American history, bachelor’s level at $25,000 and Sara Zebley, music, bachelor’s level at $25,000.
Turning to other business, the board accepted the resignation of Joseph Scalise, athletic director, and temporarily hired Michael Turek, middle school principal.
The board agreed to post the postion immediately internally and externally.