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UNION TWP. — Northwest Area’s school board voted this week to appoint Michael Kreidler as a school director to replace Gary Boberick, who recently resigned.
It’s a familiar role for Kreidler.
He previously served as a director for about a decade and was board president when he stepped down at the end of 2017.
Because of what Kreidler described as pressing business issues, he chose not to seek re-election and was succeeded as chairman by Boberick.
With only five of nine directors present for the meeting, Kreidler was appointed unanimously.
In another matter, the board voted unanimously to institute a termination process for “non-tenured professional employees.” The board didn’t state how many employees this policy would affect, but it was noted that tenure is extended predominantly to teachers.
This meeting was also dedicated to commending the school directors for their service. Director of District Operations Betsy Ellis conducted a short ceremony during which time she presented a plaque to the directors, commenting: “It has been a pleasure to work with them.”
Current board chairman Leigh Bonczewski extended his thanks, noting: “We don’t always agree and we argue on some issues. But in the end, we work it all out.”
In other business this week, the board:
• Approved a second reading of a weapons policy which is designed to restrict unauthorized persons from bringing weapons onto district property.
• Paid $12,830 in invoices: $435 to Willis Ide & Son; $9,895 to Green Tree Enterprises for softball dugouts; and $2,500 to Beach Fence Co. for fencing at the baseball field.
• Approved an agreement with Pat Curley Detective Agency for security personnel at the elementary and intermediate schools.
• Approved a request by band director Scott Quinn to attend with three students a regional band festival at Lewisburg High School. It was stated the cost is $1,040.
• OK’d the request of chorus director Jenna Socha to attend with two students a chorus festival March 20-22 at Canton High School. It was stated the cost is $1,010.
• Signed off on a request by varsity baseball coach Lou DiPasquale to attend a pre-season camp at Silver Spring, Maryland, on March 14-17. It was stated 23 students are involved.
• Approved a resolution adopting a 10-mile radius, effective with the 2019-20 school term, for the transportation of students to private schools.
• Appointed Robert Gary as volunteer softball coach at no cost to the district for the upcoming 2019 season.