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WELLSVILLE -- During the June 26 Wellsville Board of Education meeting there were discussions on preparing for the upcoming school year.
Wellsville Schools Superintendent Richard E. Bereschik announced a back-to-school bash to be held in the parking lot behind the high school on Aug. 16 from 6-8p.m.
A training and demonstration for the new weapons detection systems purchased by the school will be held in August. The district purchased four sets of portable weapon detection systems and six new scanning wands.
The district is still waiting for word on changing the single-entry doorways into the school buildings to double entry doors.
According to Ed Swogger, who is in charge of maintenance for the district, it's a very unusual summer with the building realignment taking place with the third and seventh grade classes been moved. In just one school building, 14 classrooms are being moved.
Under new business, board members passed with an all-in favor vote motions to approve Love Insurance Agency and Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company to offer voluntary student accident insurance for the 2023-2024 school year; a Statement of Compliance for Federal Programs regarding conflict of interest and mandatory disclosures; an agreement with the Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance in the event of any emergencies; a field site affiliation agreement with Walden University to provide field experience for High School Guidance Counselor Beth Swogger; and an increase in substitute teacher pay effective 2023-2024 school year to $110 per day.
Bereschik said the substitutes teachers pay was increased from $100 a day. He noted that everyone in the county was increasing the pay for the substitutes right now and it has become very competitive.
"We are going to try to do what we always try to do which is lock in teachers for the whole year; promise them work and that they will work every day here and that's what everyone seems to do," Bereschik said.
For fiscal matters the board members approved with an all-in favor votes motions to accept the treasurer's report; a request from Wellsville Care & Share, Orange and Black Boosters and Wellsville Boys Basketball to purchase liability insurance through Wellsville Local Schools; any "Then and Now" Certificates; approval of the final permanent appropriations for the fiscal year 2023 and approval to amend the final certificate of resources for fiscal year 2023; the final permanent appropriations for the fiscal year 2023 and approval to amend the final certificate of resources for fiscal year 2023; temporary appropriations for fiscal year 2024; to transfer, advance, and amend all appropriations, codes, and funds as required to close the fiscal year 2023; to declare intent to proceed with election on the question of a renewal tax in excess of the 10 mill limitation; and, the K-12 business contract for $6,500.00 for fiscal year 2024.
Also with an all-in favor vote, the board approved the following personnel changes: resignations of Daw Elementary teacher Jessica Munoz; head baseball and elementary coach Justin Gerren and bus coordinator Nancy Clapper; renewal of three-year contract for Marie Martin, effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026; renewal of contracts for physical therapists Amy Purcell and Kelly Crosby for the 2023-2024 school year; the hiring of Cavan LeMasters, varsity assistant football coach, Shane Reed, volunteer for football, Jesse Jackson and Derrick Suggs for junior high football; a three-year contract for David "Bug" Thompson as varsity girls head basketball and elementary coach; Marie Martin as jr. class advisor; and, the renewal the agreement between Wellsville Local Schools and East Liverpool City Hospital for athletic trainers for the 2023-2024 sports seasons.
The board members also approved the hiring of Maia Amato for the Wellsville Local School Treasurer/CFO position due to the retirement of Marcy Thompson. This was voted on separately from the other personnel motions due to Chris Amato abstaining from the vote to avoid a conflict of interest, due to the position being filled by a family member.
Amato was the only applicant for the position. Bereschik said he was thrilled to have a Wellsville graduate in the position and that she sat through an hour-and-a half long interview in which she answered correctly every question thrown at her.
The board approved the Wellsville Teachers' Association (WTA) Master Agreement for a three-year contract to begin on Sept. 1, 2023, and run through Aug. 31, 2026, between the Wellsville Board of Education and the Wellsville Teachers' Association.
Bereschik said he wanted to thank everyone who was involved in the negotiations which he said were not arduous at all and they came up with an agreement that will be voted on by the WTA. Bereschik said everything went smoothly and he believes it to be a win-win situation.
The Wellsville Board of Education meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m., in the Wellsville Jr. Sr. High Media Center. The next meeting is scheduled for July 17.