MOUNT CARMEL - High school social studies teacher Susan Nestico was unanimously appointed principal of Mount Carmel Area Elementary School Thursday night.
Nestico, who will succeed Donna Veach, was hired by the school board at a salary of $52,000 with benefits.
The 39-year-old Kulpmont native who currently resides in Mount Carmel has been a social studies teacher in the district since July 2003.
After starting its meeting 30 minutes late at 7:30 p.m., the board breezed through its agenda before requesting an executive session to discuss the elementary school principal's position. Upon reconvening at approximately 8:35 p.m., the board agreed to hire Nestico on an interim basis pending approval from the state Department of Education.
Voting in favor of Nestico were Directors Charles Mannello, Nicholas P. Goretski III, Donna James, Dr. Raymond Kraynak, Raymond D. Kraynak, Michael Rovito, Robert Muldowney, Thomas Ditchey and Michael Brinkash.
After hiring Nestico, the board agreed to advertise for a high school social studies teacher.
Veach retired last month after serving 27 years in the district as a teacher and administrator. She was elementary school principal for only one year.
Recalls, hirings
Furloughed teacher Erica Sechler was recalled to serve as a music education instructor at a salary of $36,467 plus benefits. She will replace retired teacher Denise Giacomini.
Furloughed teacher Dorothy Smith was recalled as an elementary school teacher at a salary of $31,778 plus benefits. She will replace retired instructor Paula Swartz.
Joanne Risso was hired as an English as a Second Language instructor at a salary of $30,215 plus benefits, effective Aug. 23.
The board ratified the summer employment of special education coordinator Monica McKerns-O'Donnell at $30 per hour. Her summer employment will not exceed 140 hours.
Retirements, resignations
Directors accepted the retirement of Frances Frederick as a payroll processing administrative assistant, effective July 27.
Board members also accepted the resignations of Michael Balichik as head of the social studies department, Diane Rumbel as Interact Club adviser, and Dominic McGinley as a security guard.
Deb Parkansky was hired as a secretary in the high school principal's office at a salary of $15,080 with benefits.
Kathy Jepko was hired as a payroll processing administrative assistant at a salary of $23,756 with benefits.
Directors hired Chang Rong Jiang and Margie Latshaw as three-hour per day cafeteria workers at $7.25 per hour with no benefits. The board increased the hours of cafeteria worker Jean Gasperetti from 25 to 30 per week with no benefits.
A $500 stipend was granted to maintenance personnel and bus drivers Frank Brosh, Joseph Gallagher, Marlin Hodge, Charles Koveleskie, Carmen Martello and Ronald "Sam" Ryan.
Services
The board approved annual service/maintenance contracts with McClure Company in the amounts of $1,255 for the elementary/high school chiller system and $2,058 for the seven boilers/water heaters.
Directors approved a sprinkler inspection agreement with Berkshire Systems Group Inc. for one year at a cost of $140 for the sprinkler system in the high school and $264 for the sprinkler system in the elementary school.
The board approved a fire alarm system inspection agreement with Berkshire Systems Group Inc. for one year at a cost of $1,284 for the fire alarm system in the elementary school.
The board approved an agreement for the district to participate in the child nutrition program with Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 and Schuylkill County Area Vocational-Technical School Operating Agency.
Mannello and James were appointed voting delegates to the 2012 PSBA Legislative Policy Council.
Education foundation
Following the school board meeting, Mount Carmel Area School District Education Foundation met to select officers and make donations to the district.
New officers are Harry Morgan, president; Jose Gonzalo, vice president; Philip Gergen, secretary; Paul Niglio, treasurer, and Edward Greco, solicitor. Mount Carmel Area Acting Superintendent Bernie Stellar was named a foundation adviser to replace Cheryl Latorre, while Joseph Gushen was retained as an adviser. Other members are Melissa Menapace, Robert Lapinski, Michael Rovito, Donna James and Robert Muldowney.
Gergen said the foundation is seeking replacements for Rose Marquardt and Eric Belfanti, who resigned.
The foundation donated $3,000 each to the arts, academic and athletic programs in the school district.