Athletic director to step down at UAHS at end of term
The Uniontown Area School Board on Monday accepted the resignation of its longtime athletic director.
John Fortugna will step down from the post at the end of this school term but will remain in the position as dean of students and is expected to continue his tenure as head varsity football coach.
“He’s spent a lot of time, effort and energy for the betterment of our student body,” said Dr. Charles Machesky, school superintendent.
On Monday, the board was informed that Fortugna will be inducted into the Tri-County Football Coaches Hall of Fame.
Machesky lauded Fortugna for the dedication he has given to the posts he holds within the school district.
In other personnel matters, the board accepted the retirement resignation of Kenneth Biddish, custodian; Jane Naymick, special education teacher; and Paula Toth, secretary. The directors approved the hiring of the following substitute cafeteria workers: Melissa Abbott, Joanne McGee and Cheryl Morris.
Jeremy Burnsworth, Lamanda Davies, Joanna Kozel, Julia Stephenson and Angelica Taggart were given board approval to be added to the professional substitute list.
The directors also approved Lucia Broskey, Dana Rocks and Joyce Walters to the secretarial-aide substitute list.
The following coaches were hired by the directors on Monday: Paul Guthrie, assistant softball coach ($1,942); Courtney Sanner, volunteer track coach; Charles Higbee, first assistant baseball coach ($1,931); and Scott Miller, assistant varsity baseball coach ($1,793).
Approval was also given by the board for a supplemental agreement ($5,500) with Judith Means, board secretary, to call substitutes for teachers, secretaries, clerks and aides for the upcoming school year.
In other business, the directors gave unanimous approval to a technology upgrade plan for the district of more than $410,000.
The plan will allow for a total rebuilding of the district’s computer and technology system, according to William Rittenhouse, school director and committee chair.
“When we are done with this, we will be the poster child for technology in the county,” he said.
Intermediate Unit 1 has helped the district in preparing the proposal and help lower costs associated with the plan.
Machesky said when the upgrades were first suggested the price tag was well over $1 million dollars.
“It has been designed to benefit students and staff alike,” he said.
The technological improvements will be ready by the start of the new school term, Machesky said.
The directors also approved a proposal from Nutrition Inc. to provide food service to the district and also approved the meal prices for district cafeteria’s for the 2013-14 school term. Elementary lunch prices will be $1.70; secondary student lunches will cost $1.95; adult lunch prices will be set at $3.25; student breakfast prices will be $1.10; and adult breakfasts will cost $1.65.