News

August 12, 2008

L-L school expansion vote Thursday

Directors want more time to review designs for Ross Elementary School project.

CAMILLE FIOTI Times Leader Correspondent

LEHMAN TWP. -- Rather than putting off voting on a design for the expansion project at Ross Elementary School another month, the Lake-Lehman School Board voted to recess Monday’s meeting until Thursday at 6:30 p.m. to allow more time to review several design options.

The project is estimated to cost between $814,000 and $1.5 million, depending on which design is chosen, board President James McGovern said.

Board member Moderno Rossi said the board’s decision last month to table the vote added an extra $15,000 to the project because of a rise in interest rates. He pointed out that the interest rate for a PNC Bank loan to finance the project was 3.94 percent last month. He said the rate had since risen to 4.14 percent.

With a $400,000 contingency factored into the 2008-09 budget, Rossi suggested borrowing $1 million and tapping into the $400,000, if necessary.

Board member Drew Salko disagreed. “We cannot afford to spend that kind of money, and then come back next year and increase the millage.”

He later agreed that it might be necessary to borrow $1 million, but suggested hanging on to the $400,000 for other school projects or needs.

Although the board acknowledged more time is needed to review the designs, the overall consensus was the need to address the immediate overcrowding situation. At least two modular units are needed, the board said, at a cost of roughly $20,000 for both.

Rather than purchasing the units, McGovern said he would look into the possibility of leasing them if it is more cost efficient.

In other business, the board:

• Appointed Melissa Smigielski, of Harveys Lake, as an elementary teacher at a salary of $36,176, effective Aug. 26.

• Appointed Gennifer Pauley of Noxen as an elementary teacher at a salary of $35,676, effective Aug. 26.

• Authorized reappointing Jack Wega as an instructional technology peer coach for professional staff members for the 2008-09 school year. Wega will provide service for a minimum of 20 hours per week, and receive payment for services up to $30,000 per year. Wega’s salary will be paid through a Classrooms for the Future Grant.

• Voted to accept the letter of resignation from Holly Warunek, a secondary reading teacher, that was received July 24 and will be effective 60 days thereafter, or upon the appointment of a successor.

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