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The Dallas School Board answered questions and received comments from nearly 50 attendees about the recent state Auditor General’s report released last month at Monday night’s regular meeting.
The report revealed more about former guidance counselor John Wolensky’s actions in misappropriating funds from practice SAT tests and other fundraisers within the school.
Wolensky pleaded guilty in March 2009 to a theft charge and was sentenced to two years probation. He admitted to taking $24,683, but the recent report found that he had taken more than twice the amount originally reported.
The report also stated that Superintendent Frank Galicki was aware of the fundraiser.
Residents’ comments ranged from asking Galicki to resign to praising him for his service to the district.
Those who spoke at the meeting were mainly in search of answers. Ellen Hunter, who had two children graduate from the district and another one currently attending school in the district, asked the board questions such as who was responsible for the money, who had access to the accounts where it was placed and who made the decisions concerning the money.
She said, as a parent, she would have liked to have known where the money was going and what fundraiser she was donating to.
She asked some board members who had children in the district at the time of the scam whether or not they knew of the fundraiser.
“I didn’t know at the time,” said board member Karen Kyle.
Resident Colleen Slocum said the whole situation was “blown out of proportion.”
“Unfortunately, Mr. Galicki has been dragged into this unfairly,” she said.
Other residents wanted to ensure that this would never happen again, and Business Manager Grant Palfey said the new policies put into place are “as tight as we can get.”
Palfey also said he wasn’t sure what was earned on the tests within the six-year span of the fundraiser, but he said the tests cost the district $10 in 2007 and students were charged $25.
Resident Joseph Leonard said he was “frustrated” with the ordeal, and that the district could not ensure it would not happen again.
“Policies and rules are only as good as the people who enforce them,” he said. “Crooks don’t follow rules.”
Robert Glicini, of Dallas, said he felt Galicki was not adequately punished for his involvement with the fundraiser.
Other board members, including Charlie Preece and Catherine Wega, admitted they were aware that the mark up was part of a fundraiser, while board member Richard Coslett said he was not.
Stef Thomas, of Dallas, said he was concerned for those who weren’t able to afford the test because they weren’t aware that they did not have to pay for it.
Candyce Fike, a district theater teacher, praised Galicki, saying she had never once questioned his integrity during her time at the school.
In other news …
• Resident Laurie Russell brought to the board’s attention that the cameras on school buses are not currently active and that bullying is a major concern for the elementary children she works with daily.
Board members said they were not aware of this, and Galicki said he plans to further investigate the issue.
• The board approved $20,822 in change orders for the high school construction project. Bob Nesbit of Crabtree Rohrbaugh and Associates said the changes were for additional tile, fans and blower coils within the school.
• An unidentified male was suspended from the school for a period of one year due to possession of a weapon on district premises.
• The board approved the retirement of custodian Joseph Callahan from Wycallis Elementary School.
• The board approved the following hires within the maintenance department: Jeff Gallup as custodian at a rate of $15.06 per hour, Brian Straub as groundskeeper at a rate of $12.17 per hour, Jeanne Schukraft to housekeeper at a rate of $12.12 per hour, George Elias as custodian at a rate of $13.46 per hour and Thomas Pealer as custodian at a rate of $11.24 per hour.
• The board adopted a new mission and vision statement for the district.
• The board approved the hiring of the following professional and non-professional employees: Melinda Gordon, Rebecca Oley, Victoria Weiss, Cristina Bellard and Elsie Ryan.
• Erin Moreck, middle school science teacher, and Sarah Kashatus, senior high school English teacher, were approved for leaves of absence.
• Lesley Plank was approved as a long-term substitute at Dallas Elementary School at a salary of $37,165.
• Michael Labaugh was appointed as the boys’ volleyball head coach with a stipend of $2,045, and Nick Diaco was appointed as the boys’ volleyball assistant coach with a stipend of $664.
• Joseph Granahan was appointed as a bus driver for the 2010-11 school year.
The next Committee-of-the-Whole meeting of the Dallas School Board will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6 in the administration building next to Wycallis Elementary School.