MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Area School Board unanimously agreed Thursday night to retain a school resource officer (SRO) in the district on a month-to-month basis.
After the special meeting, board president Donna James said the decision to keep Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Brian Carnuccio as the district's SRO was influenced by last week's shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., that claimed the lives of 26 people in the school, including 20 children, plus the shooter.
Voting to retain the officer pending entering into a formal contract were James, Dr. Ray Kraynak, Michael Brinkash, Robert Muldowney, Charles Mannello, Ray Kraynak and Michael Rovito. Thomas Ditchey was absent.
Prior to the session, Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush, who twice previously served as the district's SRO, met with board members to argue for the importance of retaining the officer.
Funding for the position comes from the school district and Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. A three-year grant from the commission runs out Dec. 31.
When questioned about the SRO issue earlier in the day, Hollenbush said the position initially was funded through a Cops in School grant in 1997. From 2000 to 2003, he said two township officers - one at the high
school and one at the elementary school - were assigned to the district.
He said Carnuccio has served as the SRO since January 2009.
In 2010, Hollenbush said the commission paid 75 percent of the officer's salary with the school district picking up the remaining 25 percent. In 2011, the officer's salary was split evenly between the district and commission. This year, the district was responsible for paying 75 percent of the salary, while the commission paid 25 percent.
Hollenbush said Carnuccio's current salary, excluding benefits, is $39,520 ($19 per hour). His wages will be increased to $20 per hour, or $41,600 per year, in 2013.
The chief said prior to the meeting that if the position was retained, the district will pay $23,543.73 from January to the beginning of June, while the township will pay $18,053.48 during the summer months.
New board member
Joseph D'Andrea of Marion Heights was appointed as an interim school board director through December 2013 to fill the remainder of the term of Nicholas C. Goretski III, who resigned earlier this month at the board's reorganization meeting.
Goretski was the board president until the reorganization meeting and is a former Kulpmont mayor and councilman.
Voting to approve D'Andrea's appointment were James, Dr. Kraynak, Rovito, Brinkash, Muldowney and Ray Kraynak. Mannello, who said he respected all the candidates for the position, cast the lone dissenting vote.
The 48-year-old D'Andrea, a native of Weatherly who has lived in Mount Carmel Area School District for many years, also served as an interim board member from May through December 2011 to fill the unexpired term of Eric Belfanti, who resigned.
He is a local sales manager for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and just completed a term as president of the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.
D'Andrea was among four candidates interviewed for the position.