School News
- Last Updated on Friday, 01 March 2013 04:16
By Paul Chasko
Dateline: February 19, 2013
Dateline: February 19, 2013
At the February regular meeting of the Ringgold School Board, past due bills for payment to architect/engineers HHSDR were finally addressed. These bills, presented last year, were for studies comparing costs for a new middle school building to those for renovating the old MEC and DEC Bbuildings in Monongahela and Donora.
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Services related to a new middle school
at the Ringgold High School site
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$9,977.00
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Building evaluations of Donora Elementary Center,
Monongahela Elementary Center, and Ringgold Middle School
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$50,369.50
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Services related to the proposed Ringgold
Intermediate School Renovations (Donora Elementary Center)
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$11,309.50
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Services related to the proposed Ringgold Middle School
(Monongahela Elementary Center)
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$20,159.00
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Total
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$91,815.00
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An innocuous request to the architects, such as “Can you estimate how much it would cost to …,” comes with a price tag, so bills for these man-hours added up quickly. Payment has been tabled and delayed, because HHSDR raised its hourly rate without bringing the increase to the board for approval. Solicitor Berggren informed the board that paying past bills to HHSDR, in effect, acknowledged acceptance of the higher rate. He also added, “The board is legally obligated to pay the bills, and if they are not paid, board members voting ‘no’ may be subject to being personally surcharged.”
Current Board President Mariann Bulko, with the help of the board majority, is trying to get the building of the new middle school underway in spite of these delays. The old DEC and MEC buildings in Donora and Monongahela will be appraised for sale.
The terms of seven of the existing board members end this year, and some worry that a new board could begin this cycle of debate once again, costing the Ringgold taxpayers even more.
Board Approves Hiring of Chief of Security
After much heated argument, the board approved the hiring of Clayton Schell, a retired state police officer from Venetia, as Chief of Security of the Ringgold School District at a salary of $42,000. Several board members strongly opposed this hiring, believing it was a duplication of a position currently held by Thomas Thompson. Board member Chuck Smith shouted out at one point, “This board is throwing money away.” Board member Bob Smith stated that he had spoken with local police, and they could provide the required services. Bulko stated that she’d made the same inquires, and there was no interest expressed by local police. Several board members wished to postpone this decision until additional security guidelines were available from federal and state sources. The vote for hiring was 5/4, with Smith, Mauro, Smith and Kennedy voting in opposition.
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All nine board members were present for this five-hour marathon meeting as were the solicitor, secretary/treasurer, superintendent and members of the administration.
All nine board members were present for this five-hour marathon meeting as were the solicitor, secretary/treasurer, superintendent and members of the administration.
Go to our website at www.unionfinley.com for more details of this event.
In regular business:
• Payment of Ringgold’s share ($33,095) of the Intermediate Unit budget was approved.
• Mariann Bulko was appointed to the Intermediate Unit Board of Directors.
• The board approved a motion adopting the policies and procedures of the Intermediate Unit.
• The Treasurer’s report was reviewed and accepted.
• The high utility costs at the Ringgold High School came under discussion once again. The maintenance manager was asked to look into the situation for possible remedies.
• Bills were approved for payment from the following funds:
General Fund $ 1,672,976.87
Cafeteria Fund $ 65,543.15
Capital Reserve $ 62,565.00
• A contract between the School District and architect/engineers HHSDR was approved to perform miscellaneous work in the future at an hourly rate of $125.00 per hour.
• Final payment ($8,850.00) was made to Walter Mucci Constr. For services related to the Ringgold Elementary South.
• Final payment $11,857.85 was made to HHSDR for services related to the Ringgold Elementary South.
• A motion carried to have HHSDR prepare and solicit bids for masonry repairs at the Ringgold High School (Not to exceed $8,100).
• A motion carried to have HHSDR prepare and solicit bids for a new pool dehumidification system and chilled water expansion tank relining at the High School.
• A motion carried to have HHSDR prepare and solicit bids for HVAC control updates at Ringgold High School (Not to exceed $33,300).
• The Ringgold current energy service provider “On–Demand Energy Solutions presented a proposal to purchase electrical power at very favorable fixed rates through 2015. The board approved the purchase.
• The board accepted ten irrevocable letters of retirement. Seven teachers, two custodians and one mechanic submitted letters.
• Two teachers were hired.
Alexandra McGeehan – English – Ringgold High School
Anthony Mannarino – Technology Education – Ringgold High School
• Four teachers, one cafeteria worker, one secretary, two custodial workers and three temporary security workers were added to the substitute roster.
• Several conference requests and an educational tour were approved.
• Three family and intermittent medical leaves were approved.
• Approval was granted to post positions for the Pre-Kindergarten Summer Program and the Extended School Year Program
• Approval was granted to enter into an agreement to establish an alternative school between Ringgold and other Member Districts and Intermediate Unit I.
• Request was granted for an unpaid leave of absence.
• The board approved an early retirement incentive program.
• Travel to three PIAA events for coaches and athletes was approved
• Julia Davis was appointed as head volleyball coach.
• Permission was granted to use the Ringgold High School Gym, Cafeteria and Swimming Pool for three separate events
