MOUNT CARMEL - Legendary Mount Carmel Area football coach Joseph "Jazz" Diminick, who passed away July 2, will be memorialized with having the field at the famed Silver Bowl named after him.
During a meeting Thursday night, Mount Carmel Area School Board agreed to name the field "Jazz Diminick Field" in honor of the winningest coach in school history and one of the all-time greatest scholastic mentors in the state and nation.
From 1962 to 1992, Diminick, who coached his six sons, guided the Red Tornadoes to 267 victories and several championships. When he left the coaching ranks, he was the all-time winningest coach in the state with 290 wins.
Voting to name the field after him were board President Thomas Ditchey, Donna James, William Brecker, Michael Rovito, Joseph Zanella, Robert Muldowney and Anthony Mazzatesta, who played for Diminick. Ray Kraynak and Michael Brinkash were absent.
Ditchey said a special ceremony involving Diminick's family to dedicate the field will be held at one of the first home football games this season. The Red Tornadoes open the year Friday, Aug. 29, at home against Loyalsock.
The board also will allow the varsity football team to wear memorialized black jerseys at home games and possibly other contests this year to honor Diminick. The jerseys have been purchased through donations to the football program.
In other athletic business, directors hired Steven Sinkovich as head varsity wrestling coach at a salary of $3,700.
The board accepted the resignation of Tammy Michaels as eighth grade girls basketball coach and granted permission to Brenda Moser to start an introductory running program for elementary students.
Directors accepted the resignations of high school life skills teacher Christine Delong and special education teacher David Sanford.
Katherine Francis was hired as a reading specialist/teacher with a master's degree at a salary of $42,201 with benefits. She will replace Judith Matukaitis, who retired.
Elaine Bartol was reclassified from an aide to a secretary at 7½ hours per day at a salary of $22,638. She will replace Tina Meredith, who is in a new position.
Kim Bartos was hired as a secretary at seven hours per day at $8.50 per hour with benefits. She will replace Gloria Slater, who retired.
The board adjusted the salaries of elementary school Principal Susan Nestico and junior high school Principal Pete Cheddar to $60,000, retroactive to July 1.
Directors granted a 3 percent ($2,295) salary increase to high school principal/curriculum coordinator Lisa Varano, retroactive to July 1.
The board also approved a 2.8 percent ($2,532.05) increase in salary to Superintendent Bernie Stellar for the 2013-14 fiscal year and 2.8 percent ($2,583) increase for the 2014-15 fiscal year.
Henry Fadrowski was hired for seasonal field maintenance work at $9 per hour.
The board amended the maintenance restructuring approved June 30 to include a six-month probationary period for all tiered maintenance and custodial personnel.
Directors agreed to transfer $10,000 from the general fund to the athletic account.
Stellar announced paving and other construction work will be done in the elementary school parking lot, beginning July 28. He said the lot will be closed until at least Aug. 13, which is the scheduled completion date for the project.