MCA May Vote On Teachers’ Contract Monday

MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Area School Board will hold a special meeting next week to approve or reject a new teachers' contract.

During a meeting Thursday night, school board president Donna James announced that a tentative teachers' contract was presented to her Wednesday night, but said she and other board members need more time to review it before holding a vote.

Teachers in the district have been working with an expired contract since June 2012.

James said a special meeting to vote on the contract is tentatively scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Both sides have been making progress recently in negotiations and a vote on the contract was expected soon.

Joseph Varano, president of Mount Carmel Area Education Association, who was among a dozen teachers in attendance, said he was under the impression a vote was going to occur at Thursday's meeting.

"I was surprised it didn't come to a vote tonight," he said.

Neither James nor Varano would comment on any specifics contained in the proposed contract.

In other business

Outgoing board members Charles Mannello and Dr. Ray Kraynak were presented special gifts for their dedicated service. Mannello and Kraynak each served 20 years on the board. Interim board member Joseph D'Andrea, who replaced Nicholas Goretski III after he resigned in December, also was recognized for his service. His term expires next month.

Incoming directors Tony Mazzatesta, Bill Brecker and Joseph E. Zanella were recognized at the end of the meeting.

Directors approved a resolution to increase the assigned fund balance by $600,000 for projected retirement rate increases plus potential higher costs for medical insurance and to provide for unexpected costs to maintain district facilities.

The board accepted the resignation of high school nurse Ruth Gregory, effective in January.

Directors awarded three sick days and one personal day per year to 180-day substitute teachers.

The board approved the purchase of a copier from CSP Office Equipment for the elementary school office at a cost of $4,995.

The district campus was approved as an emergency Red Cross shelter during the need of disaster relief operations.

The board re-activated the Mount Carmel Area Future Business Leaders of America Club and appointed Trish Stockalis and Kristen Fourspring as club advisers at a stipend of $150 each.

Matt Narcavage was hired as a junior high wrestling coach at a salary of $1,300. He will fill the post vacated by Steven Sinkovich.

Greg Gensemer was hired as the head elementary wrestling coach at a salary of $900. He will fill the position vacated by Dave Besser.

Mandy Fantini was hired as the developmental swim coach at a salary of $500. She will fill the position vacated by Kevin Wagner.

On an 8-1 vote, Mike Barvitskie, David Bowman, Jason Lasko, Josh Malick and Chris Peipher were approved as volunteer assistant elementary wrestling coaches, pending clearances.

Mannello, who believes coaches should have all their clearances before being hired, voted against the appointments.

The board approved the resignation of assistant varsity baseball coach Jeff Deitz.

Bart McCollum was hired as a part-time gym aide/swimming instructor on an emergency basis at a pro-rated salary of $18,500 without benefits, effective Dec. 3.