Flint’s contract extended through November / By Martha Knight

Tony Flint will remain at his post as superintendent for another month, he agreed and the Port Allegany School Board voted Monday night, while his successor, Gary Buchsen, continues to serve Conemaugh Creek School District.

That was one matter that was thrashed in an executive session just before the public meeting. Other matters included the state of negotiations with the support staff union, and some job changes in the cafeterias.

The executive session had run well past the 7 p.m. time for the public meeting to start, indicating that agreement on some matters had not been reached quickly or easily. When the vote came on that addendum measure (one not on the prepared agenda), it was five to two, with two members absent.

Voting to extend Flint’s contract through November 29 were board president Dave Mensch, vice-president Dee Buchanan, Ron Caskey Rod Howard and Sean Lathrop. Voting No were Scott Moses and Ingrid Lapp. Dan Kysor and Gary A. Hardes were absent.

The board approved the district’s new Teacher Effectiveness Supervision Plan. Caskey asked elementary principal Tracy Kio how much time the development and implementation of the teacher effectiveness supervision plan was taking out of his and junior-senior high school principal Marc Budd’s day.

Kio said the time requirement is considerable, but he had attended trainings that had enabled him to “make it manageable.” Budd did not attend the board meeting.

Members okayed a five-year transportation contract with Joseph Muccio Transportation, LLC, covering services from the beginning of the current school year and extending through the 2017-18 school year.

An updated transportation policy was given “first reading” distribution, and could be enacted next month.

In personnel matters, Samantha Fiebig was granted family and medical leave effective about December 9 through March 28, 2014.

Sue Speed was transferred to a 5.75-hour cook/server/cafeteria attendant  position effective Tuesday.

Aaron Vollmer was approved as assistant wrestling coach at a supplemental salary of $3,296.

Evelyn Mealy and Connie Bosworth were added to the support staff substitute list.

Lisa Bloom, Colleen Saulter and Abram Zoschg were approved as IU9 guest teachers.

Moses updated the board on the Academic Improvement Committee’s latest meeting discussions and plans. He said members hoped the district would receive a Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics grant in the future, as some nearby districts have.

Moses mentioned additional efforts the committee and others are making to encourage parent partnership with the school. He noted the upcoming open house at the junior-senior high school, Halloween night, with parents and younger children as well as secondary school students invited to come by for tours and treats and fun.