Hazleton, PA

Hazleton, PA
August 9, 2007
At 7:00 P.M., with President Morelli presiding, a
Special Meeting of the Hazleton Area School Board was held
Thursday, August 9, 2007 in the Hazleton Area Career Center,
Large Group Instruction Room, with the following persons
present: Dr. Robert W. Childs, Elaine Curry, Steve Hahn (by
telephone conference), Richard Morelli, Sean Shamany, Jack
Shema, Donald Tombasco, Catherine Warren, Carmella
Yenkevich, Assistant Business Manager Krizansky,
Superintendent Victor, Assistant Superintendent Andrews and
Attorney Jarrod Tranguch (representing Solicitor Slusser). Absent
from the meeting were Secretary / Business Manager Ryba,
Assistant Secretary Moran, Solicitor Slusser and Assistant
Solicitor McNelis.
The purpose of the Special Meeting was for the hiring
of personnel, approval of the PDE- 3074 (a) Form for the purchase
and installation of Hazleton Area High School swimming pool
water heater, approval of the AS 400 upgrade, accept resignations
and accept leave of absence.
Pledge of Allegiance and
Momentary Period of
Time for Meditation
Executive Session Held
ROLL CALL
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of
Allegiance and a momentary period of time for meditation.
President Morelli announced Executive Session held
prior to this meeting, August 9, 2007, was regarding personnel
with the following persons present:
Dr. Robert Childs 	Jack Shema 	Frank Victor
Elaine Curry 	Donald Tombasco 	Joseph Andrews
Richard Morelli 	Catherine Warren
Sean Shamany 	Carmella Yenkevich
Vicki Mackin Asks
Krizansky States
Victor States
PUBLIC COMMENT
Vicki Mackin, representing the Concerned Citizens of
Schuylkill County, regarding Agenda Item #1, Board approve the
PDE-3074 (a) Form for the purchase and installation of Hazleton
Area High School swimming pool water heater, asked if the pool
currently has a heater and if this has anything to do with the
addition of the Water Polo sport.
Krizansky stated that the current heater is not
repairable and has to be replaced.
Victor stated that it has nothing to do with the addition
of Water Polo.
1

-- 1 of 6 --

PDE-3074 (a) Form for
HAHS Swimming Pool
Water Heater Approved
Yenkevich Asks
Krizansky Explains
Lease/Purchase of IBM
System I Model 525
(OS400) Approved
Childs Comments
Victor States
Krizansky States
Hahn Comments
Childs Comments
Tombasco Comments
The Superintendent presented the recommendation
that the Board approve the PDE-3074 (a) Form for the
purchase and installation of Hazleton Area High School
swimming pool water heater.
Shema and Warren moved that the
recommendation be approved as presented.
Yenkevich asked what the cost is going to be for
this heater.
Krizansky explained that it is currently out for bid
but should be between Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and
Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00).
By voice vote, the motion prevailed unanimously.
The Superintendent presented the recommendation
that the Board approve the full payment lease (lease/purchase)
of the IBM System I Model 525 (OS400) hardware and
software (P10 Version 5 Release 4) for 100 Users in the
amount of $2,440.00 per month for a 36-month term from
Strategic Computer Solutions, Inc. as per COSTARS –3 PA
State Contract #003-062. (Agenda Item #2)
Shema and Tombasco moved that the
recommendation be approved as presented.
Childs commented that it is his understanding that
the staff is not thrilled about the continuation of the use of this
system. He asked what the cost is for one (1) year.
Victor stated the cost is very high for one (1) year.
He stated that this updated version would eliminate some of
the problems they are currently having with the AS400.
Krizansky stated that this is on state contract and
therefore does not have to be bid out. He explained the three
(3) options and recommended the lease/purchase option
(Agenda Item #2) if the AS400 route is what the Board wants
to go with.
Hahn, by telephone conference, commented that
this proposal is the most acceptable and he would be voting
“yes”.
Shamany left at 7:08 P.M.
Childs commented that his concern is they are
looking only at the system and not the manpower hours that go
into using it.
Tombasco commented that for years the District
has been using antiquated software on the existing AS400. He
2

-- 2 of 6 --

Victor States
Childs Asks
Victor States
Hahn Comments
Curry States
Agenda Items #3, #4, #5
and #7 Approved
Agenda Item #6 Not
Acted On
Resignation of Math
Teacher (Agenda Item #3)
Resignation of Special
Education Teacher
(Agenda Item #4)
Resignation of Social
Studies Teacher (Agenda
Item #5)
Retirement of Janitor
(Agenda Item #7)
Agenda Items #8 through
#11 Approved
Unpaid Maternity Leave
(Agenda Item #8)
explained that this upgrade would solve most of the problems.
Shamany returned at 7:10 P.M.
Victor stated that the District would own it at the
end of the three (3) years.
Childs asked if there is a buyout clause in the
lease.
Victor stated that he would check if there is a
buyout.
Hahn, by telephone conference, commented that
the three (3) year period is a reasonable amount of time to be
able to make a transition into another program.
Curry stated that she would agree to the three (3)
year lease with the understanding they are going to look at
other systems.
By voice vote, the motion prevailed unanimously.
The Superintendent presented the recommendation
that the Board approve Agenda Items #3, #4, #5 and #7 with
one motion. He asked that the Board not act on Agenda Item
#6, Board approve the resignation of Robert Corcoran, Vision
teacher, effective August 9, 2007, as it may be rescinded.
Board approve the resignation of Amy R. Hazlet,
Math teacher, effective August 9, 2007. (Agenda Item #3)
Board approve the resignation of Alicia M.
Kuzmitsky, Special Education teacher, effective August 9,
2007. (Agenda Item #4)
Board approve the resignation of Bernadette
Mackunis, Social Studies teacher, effective August 9, 2007.
(Agenda Item #5)
Board approve the retirement of Robert J. Hoilko,
custodian, effective September 27, 2007. (Agenda Item #7)
Shamany and Shema moved that the
recommendation (Agenda Items #3, #4, #5 and #7) be
approved as presented. By voice vote, the motion prevailed
unanimously.
The Superintendent presented the recommendation
that the Board approve Agenda Items #8 through #11 with one
motion.
Board approve an unpaid maternity leave for
Genene Libonati-Ritz, English teacher, for the 2007-2008
school year. (Agenda Item #8)
3

-- 3 of 6 --

Unpaid Leave for ESL
Teacher (Agenda Item #9)
Family Medical Leave for
Secretary (Agenda Item
#10)
Medical Sabbatical Leave
(Agenda Item #11)
HACC Vice-Principal
Approved
Yenkevich Asks
Victor States
Childs Comments
Yenkevich Agrees
Motion to Appoint
Teachers Approved
Board approve an unpaid leave for Jessica Vernon,
ESL teacher, for the 2007-2008 school year. (Agenda Item #9)
Board approve family medical leave for Barbara
Sharp, Secretary, effective August 7, 2007. (Agenda Item
#10)
Board approve a medical sabbatical leave for
Cynthia DeLuzio for the 1st Semester of the 2007-2008 school
year. (Agenda Item #11)
Hahn and Warren moved that the recommendation
(Agenda Items #8 through #11) be approved as presented. By
voice vote, the motion prevailed unanimously.
The Superintendent presented the recommendation
that the Board appoint Lori Herman, Vice Principal. Currently
she is serving as an Acting Vice Principal.
Shema and Hahn moved that the recommendation
be approved as presented.
Yenkevich asked if this is included in the budget.
Victor stated that this position is in the budget.
Childs commented that Mrs. Herman deserves the
Board’s approval of this position because she has done a
“fantastic job” at the Hazleton Area Career Center.
Yenkevich agreed with Dr. Childs’ comments.
By voice vote, the motion prevailed unanimously.
The Superintendent presented the recommendation
that the Board appoint the following teachers:
Biology
Benjamin Evancho 	Salary $36,314
Math
Jonathan Bet 	Salary $38,685
Crystal Hollednak 	Salary $36,314
Gabrielle Staruch 	Salary $36,314
Thomas Whitley 	Salary $39,485
Special Education
Megan Shults 	Salary $39,485
Social Studies
Enrica Belucci 	Salary $36,314
Beth Petruzzi 	Salary $36,314
Elementary
Jessica Parker 	Salary $37,114
Pamela Synoski 	Salary $37,114
Tara Bianco 	Salary $38,685
Janet Davis 	Salary $36,314
Renee Mummey-Careyva 	Salary $38,685
4

-- 4 of 6 --

Motion to Appoint Two
Physical Education
Teachers Approved
Motion to Appoint VEMS
Principal Approved
Morelli States
Motion to Amend Original
Motion Tabled
Yenkevich Comments
Shamany States
Shema States
Victor States
Motion to Appoint Special
Education Teacher
Approved
Shamany and Warren moved that the
recommendation be approved as presented. By voice vote, the
motion prevailed unanimously.
The Superintendent presented the recommendation
that the Board appoint Ashley Robbins and David Kepp,
Physical Education Teachers.
Tombasco and Shema moved that the
recommendation be approved as presented. By voice vote, the
motion prevailed unanimously.
The Superintendent presented the recommendation
that the Board appoint Vince Fayock, Principal for Valley
Elementary / Middle School.
Curry and Yenkevich moved that the
recommendation be approved as presented.
Morelli stated that all candidates for this position
were very well qualified.
Morelli and Shema moved to amend the motion to
include creating a position of Dean of Students at the Hazleton
Area High School and to appoint James Hudock to that
position.
Yenkevich commented that they agreed to wait
until next week.
Hahn and Yenkevich moved to table the
amendment.
Shamany stated that although he agrees with Mr.
Morelli’s thoughts, he would wait to see the report and is
voting “yes” to table at this time.
Shema stated that he is voting “yes” to table
because he wants to wait and see the staffing study.
On roll call, the motion to table the amendment
prevailed unanimously.
On roll call, the original motion prevailed
unanimously.
Victor stated there is one additional Special
Education teacher needed and because the next meeting is after
the start of school, asked if the Board would hire the next
person on the list.
The Superintendent presented the recommendation
that the Board appoint Ginny Witcoski, Special Education
teacher.
5

-- 5 of 6 --

Meeting Adjourned
Hahn and Shamany moved that the
recommendation be approved as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no interested parties for public
comment.
By voice vote, the motion prevailed unanimously.
President Morelli adjourned the meeting at 7:26
P.M.
_________________________
Secretary
6

-- 6 of 6 --