NEW CASTLE —
New Castle School District’s John F. Kennedy Primary Center will have an evening custodian after all.
The school board, at a special meeting Tuesday, took a second vote to hire Geary George for the full-time job at the elementary school, in a 5-0 vote.
Superintendent George Gabriel said the issue was brought up at Tuesday’s meeting by board member Mary Ann Tofel, who had voted against it at the board’s regular meeting last week.
She reconsidered it, made a motion to hire George and changed her vote, Gabriel said. Four other members agreed. They were Mark Kirkwood, Allan Joseph, Stacey Fleo and Karen Humphrey. All four had voted for George’s hiring last week, as well.
The no-votes last week were by Tofel, and Barbara Razzano, Anna Pascarella and Dr. Marilyn Berkely. None of the other three attended Tuesday’s meeting.
George previously worked as a substitute custodian in the district for six years. He will be paid $22,880 this year.
REACTION TO MEMBERS
Gabriel, who said he was angry about the board voting down the hiring last week, took exception yesterday to comments that were made by the dissenting board members about deficit spending and about the board not having been given any other options.
He termed that as “absolutely false,” saying the administration had provided alternatives to the janitor hiring.
Gabriel provided letters outlining three options from district buildings and grounds director Paul Fulena, and said Fulena had recommended that the district eliminate a maintenance position, which is separate from custodial.
That option would have instead made that the afternoon job at JFK with zero extra spending, he said.
However, DiGiammarino, for one, rejected that idea, and the board just remained silent when it was proposed in executive session, Gabriel said.
“We had alternatives but they didn’t want to hear them because they involved furloughing of staff. They put their heads down and there was no response. That was the best option on the table, financially.”
Another option was to leave a day-to-day substitute in the custodial position, but the labor union rejected that idea, Gabriel said.
Yet another option was to not fill the position and try to shuffle staff around, which was what the board wanted, he continued. But Fulena said he couldn’t do that because he’s already lost three or four custodians in the past three or four years, Gabriel pointed out.
The consquences of not filling the position would have been that rooms didn’t get cleaned after school, restrooms wouldn’t get cleaned, desks wouldn’t get wiped and sanitized, extracurricular activities would not be not taken care of, “and we would have had a filthy and probably unsanitary building,” Gabriel said.
“That’s why I was very upset.”
“The board wanted to reshuffle our staff, but that’s not feasible,” district business manager Joe Ambrosini added. ”It becomes a safety and health issue.”
NO DEFICIT SPENDING
“I totally reject the notion that this district is in deficit spending,” Gabriel said, explaining that a “deficit is when you spend more money than you have. We’re not in deficit spending. We’re tapping into a $14 million reserve that belongs to the school district.
“I think we’ve done a darn good job controlling costs,” he continued. “How do you get a $14 million surplus on a spending spree?”
The district has a comprehensive plan of how it will reduce costs further, and the plan doesn’t include dipping into the fund balance every year,” Gabriel said.
Gabriel said the board met for a five-minute executive session for personnel reasons before Tuesday’s meeting, only to discuss a music teacher hiring. There was no discussion about it in the executive session, he said.
(Email: dwachter@ncnewsonline.com)
New Castle
Related Photos
Discussion
Change of Heart: New Castle board reconsiders, votes to hire janitor
- New Castle
-
-
Our Opinion: New Castle school tuition travesty? Enough is enough
New Castle’s taxpayers deserve an explanation. And some money. With the release of the latest Pennsylvania auditor general’s report on the city’s schools, it’s been revealed that some district employees abused taxpayers to the tune of more than $110,000.
-
Audit: Children of New Castle school employees didn’t pay tuiton
The Pennsylvania auditor general’s office has determined that seven non-resident students went to district schools but did not pay tuition over the course of four years. Now, the district will have to repay more than $100,000 to state.
-
New Castle classes schedule reunions
Two New Castle High School classes are planning gatherings over the next few months. First up is the class of 1971, which is planning a 60th birthday party for its members.
-
Need a last-minute gift idea for Father's Day? Pick up a ’Canes’ DVD!
One team. One vision. One heartbeat. TWO incredible keepsakes! Relive all the magic of New Castle High’s WPIAL championship basketball season by purchasing a collectible DVD or special section that was given out at the team’s banquet.
-
Tim Kolodziej: For the Class of 2013, there’s no looking back — promise?
Congratulations, Class of 2013! You made it. Your last history lesson is history. Your last final — final. The unsure children who once needed help to climb the school bus steps will now stride confidently across the stage to receive their diplomas.
-
New Castle schools plan Kennywood day
June 21 is New Castle Area School District Day at Kennywood Park. Tickets can be purchased at a reduced rate of $24 until June 20.
-
No tax hike expected for New Castle schools
The New Castle school district does not plan to raise taxes next year. The $41 million budget, introduced Tuesday night, is about $1 million higher than this year’s. But the tax millage remains at 17.27 in the proposed spending plan. At that level, the average property owner pays about $863 a year in taxes, based on a home with an assessed value of $50,000.
-
High School Football: Stars to speak at New Castle camp
Past, present and future gridiron stars will be on the field at Taggart Stadium on Saturday. The New Castle Pop Warner football program will host the Rising Star Football Clinic for youths entering grades 3-8.
-
Photo Gallery: Check out our images from the New Castle High 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, New Castle High.
-
Own a piece of history: Watch the trailer for ’Canes’ DVD!
Relive all the magic of New Castle High’s WPIAL championship basketball season by purchasing a collectible DVD or special section that was given out at the team’s banquet. Both were produced by the New Castle News!
- More New Castle Headlines
-
