UASD business manager resigns, board approves replacement
School directors and administration in the Uniontown Area School District on Monday accepted the resignation of its business manager.
Brent Filak has served as the district’s business manager since July 2012 and was lauded by board members for his tireless efforts to balance the district’s budget and keep it operating in the black.
“He has been the best business manager we’ve had since I began serving on the board,” Director Bill Gerke, financial committee chairman, said. “I cannot say enough about what he has done for this district.”
Filak thanked the board for the opportunity to serve the district.
“I’ve enjoyed my time here, but I’ve decided to go back to a previous life,” said Filak.
He plans to return to practice as a Certified Public Accountant. His resignation from the district is effective in December.
The board appointed the district’s assistant business manager, Jill Regan, to replace Filak.
Regan has also served in the district for 15 months and is looking forward to moving ahead.
“Brent and I started working together to get the district going in the right direction, and I hope to continue that,” she said.
Regan was hired for her new position at the same starting salary as Filak, $77,500.
Filak and Regan will work together to begin the transition.
In other business, the directors failed to reach an agreement on an item added to the agenda by Philip Holt.
Holt motioned for the board to name Phil Michaels, a state constable in Uniontown, to serve as assistant police chief in the absence of Donald Homer, who is on sick leave. However, Holt’s motion indicated the salary would be determined at a later date, which did not sit well with the majority of the board.
“Looks like I’ve been left out in the cold, but did we hit the lottery. We seem to be spending a lot of money,” said Gerke.
Director Dorothy Grahek said the matter needs to be discussed in committee before a vote can be taken, and Director Bill Rittenhouse said he will not support the hire without a set salary.
Although board President Thomas George relinquished his duties to the board vice president in order to second Holt’s motion, the measure failed 6-3.
The board approved the following:
n Snow removal contract with Justin’s Plowing Service for the school year at $60 per hour straight plowing and $65 per hour for front end loader plowing
n Contract with Commercial Appliance Contracts Inc. to supply and install replacement dishwasher at A.J. McMullen School in the amount of $18,6222 plus an amount not to exceed $2,400 to modify stainless steel counters as necessary
n Contract with C.M. Eichenlaub Co. to supply and install replacement bleachers in gymnasium at A.J. McMullen School in the amount of $41,240
n Purchase of HVAC equipment from the R.E. Michel Company to replace existing unit in library and and computer lab at A.J. McMullen School for $5,177 plus shipping costs
n Addition of the following to the professional substitute list: Jamie Butchko, Kimberly Curry, Kathy Foor and Robin Sylvestri
n Naming the following temporary employees as professional employees: Rayment Ansell, Amy Gartley, Bernadette Smith, Ashley Snyder, Kelly Tobal, Melissa Woods and Amy Yezioro
n Permission for high school marching band and sponsors to attend field trip to Williamsburg May 2-4; high school baseball team and coaches to attend field trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C., March 26-31; high school honors and advanced placement English classes to attend field trip to New York City, May 16-18
n Employment of Brian McLee and Kristy McLaughlin as part-time security officers at a rate of $9.27 per hour