News

April 16, 2008

P.A. hirings spark some controversy

SHERRY LONG slong@timesleader.com

YATESVILLE – The hiring of two employees during Tuesday’s Pittston Area School Board meeting proved to be controversial.

The board hired Joann Grableski as a regular part-time cafeteria employee, passing up five other substitute cafeteria employees, all of which had more seniority. One applicant in the audience cried as six board members approved Grableski’s hiring.

Board President Joe Oliveri, members Tony Guariglia, Michael McAndrew, Martin Quinn, John Adonizio and Mark Singer approved Grableski’s hire.

Board member Bob Linskey pointed out Grableski only had two months experience as compared to the other employees, who all had about two years experience. He made a motion to hire Sandy Modlesky, who he said had “slightly more seniority than anyone.”

Board members Terry Best and Kent Bratlee supported Heather Bonanny.

Former Bishop Hannan basketball star and Misericordia University senior Amy Hughes was hired as the district’s head girls’ basketball coach.

Three of the board members, Best, Linskey and Bratlee, believed Kathy Healey should be hired as the coach. Healey has 28 years of coaching experience, including working for Seton Catholic and Wyoming Area.

Linskey was opposed to Hughes being hired, saying she applied after the closing date for applications.

“She was added to the list after the list was sent home,” he said, adding board members didn’t know she was a candidate until the interviewing began.

Since the district allowed her to participate in the interview process without telling her she applied for the job late, she had to be considered for the post, according to the district’s solicitor Joe Saporito.

Oliveri, Guariglia, McAndrew, Quinn, Adonizio and Singer voted to hire Hughes.

Best, Linskey and Bratlee voted to hire Healey.

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