LHSD board hires four new teachers
For the purpose of easing some elementary classroom sizes, Laurel Highlands School Board held a special meeting on Thursday to hire four new teachers in the district.
Each of the four positions was hired as per the district’s collective bargaining agreement with its teachers union according to board President Jim Tobal.
The directors unanimously hired Tara Hartz for a class size reduction first grade teacher at Marshall Elementary. Following questioning by Director Jamie Miller D’Andrea regarding the candidate’s education and experience, Superintendent Jesse Wallace indicated Hartz has a master’s degree and at least three years experience as a substitute.
Voting 6-3, the directors split a decision to hire Jessica Kodric to serve as a multi-disabilities learning support teacher at Marshall.
“Is this the recommendation of the administration?” D’Andrea asked the superintendent.
“No ma’am it is not,” said Wallace.
D’Andrea, Tobal, and directors Bev Beal, Melvyn Sepic, Tom Vernon and Norma Santore all voted in favor of the hire. However, directors Ira Crise, Larry Zebley and Lyn Andaloro voted against the measure, because, each said, it was not the recommendation of the superintendent.
With one abstention, the board voted in favor of hiring Christin Thomas to serve as a class size reduction second grade teacher at Hutchinson Elementary. D’Andrea said Thomas has a master’s and has served as a substitute in the Laurel Highlands School District for at least six years, as well as having nine years teaching experience in St. Mary’s School District. D’Andrea also disclosed that Thomas is related by marriage to a Laurel Highlands board member.
As required by law, Sepic abstained from voting for the new hire and confirmed that Thomas is married to his nephew.
The directors also unanimously approved the hiring of Rich Kolesar to serve as a middle school math teacher. Kolesar also has his master’s and has served as a substitute in the district for at least three years.
There was no public comment regarding the four new hires.
The directors also:
n Hired Vicki McGarvey as a paraprofessional at Hatfield Elementary
n Approved Nicole Cipriani and Toni Leonelli,both faculty members, to serve as volunteer cheerleading coaches
n Approved high school cheerleaders to attend Americheer in Orlando, Fla., March 20-24 and for varsity baseball team to attend Cal Ripken Spring Training in Myrtle Beach, S.C., March 20-24 (Both trips are at no cost to the district).