Plum School Board Notebook: Jan. 31 Meeting

Here's a roundup of items discussed at the Jan. 31 Plum School Board meeting:

Sale of Property

School board members have agreed to sell the land where the former Plum Borough School sat.

The building and 1.79 acres of land were sold to Michael E. Podobnik and Sherry A. Podobnik of Plum Borough for $185,000.

The land has been vacant since the administration moved to the high school.

"It's about time," said school board member Kevin Dowdell. "That's been sitting there for a number of years."

Bus Service RFPs

The board agreed to solicit proposals for contracted Student Transportation Services.

Some board members said they wanted to see if by outsourcing bus services as opposed to having them in house.

Kindergarten Class

Parent Amy Boccieri discussed her concern's regarding her daughter's kindergarten class.

Throughout the school year, her daughter has had three different teachers, and it's disruptive to the young students, Boccieri said.

"They need routine, they need structure, they need discipline," she said. "They're not getting it currently in her classroom."

Michele Spudich, the class teacher, has been on maternity leave since the end of October. She will return in March. Two substitutes have taken over her class in the meantime.

"I'm concerned my child isn't getting the best education she can get," Boccieri said.

Boccieri said the school district failed the 23 students in the classroom.

School board member Andy Drake said the issue should be investigated to make sure it doesn't happen again.

School board member Sal Colella invited Boccieri to attend an education committee meeting to discuss the problem more in depth.

New Pivik Elementary

Board members reminded the public that they can for the new Pivik Elementary School. 

As of last week, the district received 316 suggestions. If people want the name to remain Pivik Elementary, they can make that suggestion, as well.

Board members said they are not committed to changing the name, but would like to see what kind of suggestions they receive. Anyone interested in submitting a suggestion can do so at the district website.

Board member Shane McMasters said some administrators walked through the new building and are satisfied with the progress. He said he hopes to do so again in April or May.

Mandarin Chinese

School board member Joe Tommarello said officials still are looking into to students.

The district missed the deadline to offer the language via the Confucius Institute at the University of Pittsburgh in which teachers come directly from China to teach at local schools.

Officials currently are looking at a program by A.W. Beattie Career Center in North Hills in which students can participate in the course via live video at their high school. Riverview School Board last month.

Asbestos Removal

Officials approved the three-year Asbestos Re-inspections Agreement of district facilities with Center for Environmental & Occupational Training Inc. for $1,500, effective Feb. 1.

Athletic Positions

The board approved the following athletic coaching positions:

• Wade Campbell as the Assistant Boys’ Track Coach for $1,776 and the Oblock Head Girls’ Track Coach for $1,995.

• Fran Sciullo as the  Oblock Boys’ Assistant Track Coach for $1,776 and the Oblock Head Girls’ Track Coach for $1,995.

• Joe Ionta as the Boys’ & Girls’ Head Coach for $4,435.

• Tony Morinello, Caitlin Schuchert and Dan Casarcia as the PHS Boys’ & Girls’ Assistant Coaches for $2,886 each.

• Michael Schmidt as the Ninth Grade Baseball Coach for $1,700.

• Lisa Gallippi as the Ninth Grade Girls’ Head Volleyball Coach for $2,118.

• Phil Beatty and Joe Miller as the Oblock Girls’ Volleyball Co-Coaches for $939.50 each.

• Lori Senkewitz as the PHS Boys’ Tennis Coach for $2,635.

• Jim McGrath as the PHS Girls' Softball Head Coach for $3,778.

• Phil DiLonardo and Jen Cardinale as the PHS Girls’ Softball Assistant Coaches for $2,454 each.

• Tim Clark as the Oblock Head Softball Coach for $1,700.

The following volunteers were approved:

Russell Maxwell as the PHS Assistant Track Coach, Marty DeGore as the PHS Girls’ Slow Pitch Softball Head Coach and Julia Patterson as the Spring Softball Assistant JV Coach.

Personnel

Resignations

• Melissa Stewart-Leger as long term substitute teacher for Amber Washowich, retroactive to Jan. 20.

Hiring

• April Conklin as a Staff Nurse at and Oblock Junior High School, at a salary of $15.25 per hour, effective Feb. 1.
• Alfred Christian as a regular bus driver, at a rate of $14.80 per hour, effective Feb. 1.
• Linda Strano as a regular bus aide, at a rate of $13.06 per hour, effective Feb. 1.
• Skyler Hill as an unpaid intern for the Technology Department working approximately eight hours a week, effective Feb. 1.
• Candice Comunale as a long-term substitute teacher at Pivik Elementary School retroactive to Jan. 23, through the end of the 2011-12 school year, at a per diem of $190.
• Judy Mahoney, as a Volunteer Consultant with the Math Science Collaborative Communities of Practice at for the remainder of the 2011-12 school year, at no cost to the district.

Adjusted Maternity Leaves

• An unpaid maternity leave for Jennifer Evans, Kindergarten Teacher at Pivik Elementary retroactive to Jan. 24 through the end of the 2011-12 school year.
• Paid and unpaid leave for Michele Spudich, Kindergarten teacher at Pivik Elementary School, ending March 20.
• An unpaid maternity leave extension for Amber Washowich, Family & Consumer Science teacher at Plum High School, retroactive from Jan. 23 through March 25.