Hazleton, PA
MinutesAI Summary
On August 9, 2007, the Hazleton Area School Board held a special meeting to address personnel hiring, capital improvements, and administrative matters. The Board approved a PDE-3074(a) form for the purchase and installation of a replacement swimming pool water heater at Hazleton Area High School, with an estimated cost between $10,000 and $15,000, and approved a lease/purchase agreement for an IBM System I Model 525 (OS400) upgrade. The meeting also addressed resignations, leaves of absence, and included public comment regarding the pool heater project.
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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 --
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