NEW CASTLE —
The Mohawk school district is getting a windfall of more than $340,000.
The board approved a lease with Shell Oil, accepting $3,250 per acre to lease approximately 105 acres. The five-year, renewable lease agreement also includes royalties of 18 percent and a non-surface drilling agreement.
“If they begin pumping gas under our district, there will be no big drilling rig next to the buildings,” superintendent Kathleen Kwolek said.
The district will receive the leasing fee up front, Kwolek said, but noted board members have not yet determined how it will be spent.
“We’re looking at our infrastructure,” she said, “But this could also be used to reduce our bond debt.”
Board members rejected the request of Cornerstone Construction Management of New Castle for a bonus/performance incentive payment.
The construction company oversaw the 26-month high school renovation from 2007-2010 and was paid $208,000.
As part of the contract, the company could request a bonus payment if all timelines were met, delays avoided and if the project was finished in a timely fashion.
Board members said those conditions had not been met, that the district experienced a six-month delay and “a lot of loose ends” at the end of the project.
The board also:
•Approved the retirement of elementary teacher Margaret Phipps. She will retire Jan. 22, at the end of the semester, after 45 years of teaching.
•Hired Daniel Basso as a special education paraprofessional, Greg Butchelle and Shannon Hudak as part-time cafeteria workers and Mark McCullough as elementary boilerman/custodian.
•Accepted the resignations of special education paraprofessionals Anthony Masello and Patricia Wade.
•Approved a contract with the American Red Cross to use the district’s facilities as a shelter in the event of a disaster.
•Agreed to spend $14,290 to replace the fence around the bus garage parking lot.
•Continued a three-year contract with EduLink for a Pennsylvania Electronic Teacher Evaluation Portal. The district will pay $8,742 for the software. Kwolek said this is the final year of a pilot program, and the costs will be paid through a Race to the Top grant the district received.
(Email: nlowry@ncnewsonline.com)
Mohawk
Related Photos
Discussion
Mohawk school board OKs gas lease
- Mohawk
-
-
WPIAL Softball Playoffs: Mohawk falls to Chartiers-Houston
The Mohawk High softball team had opportunities yesterday. Unfortunately for the Lady Warriors, they let many of those chances get away.
-
WPIAL Softball Playoffs: Mohawk rolls to win
Mohawk High’s battery gave the team a positive charge yesterday. The pitcher-catcher duo of Jaki Bender and Lucia Fee powered the Lady Warriors softball squad to a 7-0 victory over Brentwood in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs at North Allegheny High School.
-
Photo Gallery: Check out our images from the Mohawk prom!
The pomp. The pageantry. The pairs. The pictures. Yes, it’s prom season once again in Lawrence County and the New Castle News is on hand to document all the fun and excitement. We hope you enjoy our photo galleries! Today, Mohawk High.
-
Mohawk senior shines at county trivia contest
Mohawk senior Katelyn Byers retired this year as the undisputed champion of the Lawrence County Historical Society Trivia competition. Over the last four years, Katelyn won four Individual and three team championships.
-
Children’s author engages Mohawk Head Start students in reading fun
The bulletin board in the Head Start classroom at Mohawk Elementary School spelled out, “Welcome, Suzanne Bloom.” The greeting was for the children’s author/illustrator from Binghamton, N.Y.
-
Mohawk Junior High features young artists
Mohawk Junior High students will display their artwork from 7 to 9 p.m. May 7 at the school. The 23rd annual Junior High Art show is hosted by instructor Pam Pagley.
-
Kindergarten Camp scheduled for Mohawk pre-schoolers
For the fifth year, the Mohawk school district will have a Kindergarten Camp in August. These sessions, school board members were told this week, will introduce the district’s newest — and youngest — students to the school building, the teachers and each other.
-
Photo Gallery, Cast List, Story: Mohawk presents ‘Phantom of the Opera’
Mohawk High’s director and student actors always challenge themsevles when choosing a spring musical. They have never taken the easy road, or picked a simple musical, as past performances of “Ragtime” and “Les Miserables” would indicate. And this year is no exception.
-
Mohawk Schools: One of county’s most ambitious musical directors calling it a career.
On Sunday, the final curtain will descend on Mohawk High School’s performance of “Phantom of the Opera.” And with it will end the the stage career of one of Lawrence County’s premier high school drama directors.
-
Photo Gallery, Story: Pizza cook-off aids autism support group
More than 500 people packed the Mohawk High School cafeteria Saturday night. Some waited more than 90 minutes just to get in. What could bring this many people to overrun a school on a weekend? Only pizza.
- More Mohawk Headlines
-
WPIAL Softball Playoffs: Mohawk falls to Chartiers-Houston
