Laurel Highlands directors approve OT due to RTK requests
Laurel Highlands school directors, on Thursday, approved a measure that would authorize the use of overtime for clerical personnel due to an increased amount of Right to Know requests that have inundated the district in recent weeks.
“It is requiring a great deal of time for our secretaries,” said board President Jim Tobal. “Obviously, we will comply with Right to Know, but we must get our work done, too.”
The directors voted 7-1-1 in favor of the overtime measure. Director Jamie Miller-D’Andrea voted against the action and Director Bev Beal abstained.
Superintendent Jesse Wallace said he started paying attention about a month ago due to an uptick in RTK requests.
“My secretary alone, spent three days on one request,” said Wallace.
Wallace said most of the requests have come from one taxpayer wanting verification on various policies and procedures.
He could not give an exact amount of requests that have been received over the last month, however, he said his staff is beginning to track the requests due to the volume.
Overtime clerical pay will come from the district’s general fund.
Following a verbal request from D’Andrea at the board meeting, the superintendent publicly read a list of professional personnel hired to fill various long-term substitute positions.
“The taxpayers and parents deserve to know who is teaching their children and where they are teaching,” said D’Andrea.
Wallace read the following names: Heather Andaloro (high school English), Zach Sipe (high school science), Bobby Caldwell (Clark Elementary, grade 2), Christin Thomas (Marshall Elementary, grade 5), Tara Hartz (Marshall, grade 5), Jennifer Redman (high school math), Silverio Rodriguez (Marshall, learning support) and Kenny Riddell (high school business).
Prior to D’Andrea’s request for the superintendent to identify the long-term substitutes, Joe D’Andrea, who identified himself as a taxpayer and a parent, said he tried to speak out at the August board meeting and was rudely interrupted.
“Does Laurel Highlands have a public comment policy and is it in violation of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act,” he asked.
Solicitor Gary Frankhouser said, indeed the board has a policy, and it does not violate the state’s Sunshine Act, which, along with RTK, comprises the commonwealth’s Freedom of Information laws.
D’Andrea then asked, “Is one of the long-term subs related to Ms. (Lyn) Andolora?”
“At this point, it is appropriate for you to make statements,” Frankhouser said. “But the board is not permitted, under contract, to answer.”
In other business, the directors unanimously approved an item that will allow the district to hire four elementary class-size-reduction teachers for the 2013-14 school year.
Wallace said a kindergarten teacher will be added at Marshall, second- and third-grade teachers at Hutchinson and a third-grade teacher at Hatfield.
“This board is dedicated to education. When we saw the class sizes, all 9 of us understood the need,” said Tobal.
The board gave approval to the following:
n An addendum to current 403(b) plan that will allow any employee with less than $500 in accumulated sick leave to elect to be paid in cash by the district
n To forgive any and all past taxes owed to the district by Oak Grove/Union Cemetery
n To authorize superintendent to use substitutes not yet approved as needed providing file is complete and clearances are met (D’Andrea voted against the action)
n Coaches: Robert Costello (middle school cross country), Francis Palumbo (middle school girls soccer), Amber Hughes, Sherry Kasievich and Scott Menarcheck (volunteer girls soccer).
n Accepted the resignation of longtime varsity baseball coach Thomas Landman and permission to post and interview for the position
The board also approved moving its October work session to Oct. 10 and regular board meeting to Oct. 14.