Penn-Trafford board approves multiple personnel hires and sets tax-collector pay

The Penn-Trafford School District board approved a set of personnel hires and a resolution establishing annual compensation for elected tax collectors for the boroughs of Manor, Penn Trafford and Penn Township at its Feb. 3 regular meeting.

The actions followed an executive session held before the public meeting in which the board discussed personnel matters, litigation, negotiations and multi-tiered levels of support, the board said during the meeting. The public meeting began shortly after 7 p.m. and adjourned at 7:33 p.m.

The board voted to employ a list of new personnel "continued upon the receipt of all necessary documentation" within 30 days, specifically noting required Pennsylvania clearances identified in the motion as Act 34, Act 151 and Act 114. The motion to employ staff was made by Mr. Focasic (board member) and was approved by voice/roll call vote; the transcript records board members saying "aye" and the motion carried. The motion named individuals recommended for hire, including Peggy Julianne (Human Resource Director) and multiple paraeducators, substitutes and support staff (Dylan Stewart; Anthony Persia; Colt Monaro; Heather Johnston; Jenna Jessup; Amanda Gable; Lisa De Bernardo; Sanjay Maiano; Leslie O'Connell; Lisonbee Race; Allison Pierce). The employment approvals were conditioned on submission of the listed Commonwealth of Pennsylvania clearances within 30 days, as stated in the motion.

The board also approved the consent agenda in a single motion and later approved a separate resolution "to establish annual compensation for the elected tax collectors for the boroughs of Manor, Penn Trafford, and Penn Township." The tax-collector resolution was moved by Mr. Matarazzo (board member) and seconded; the board recorded the motion as carried by roll call.

Board members heard additional administrative reports. Mr. Barnett (board member) delivered an Intermediate Unit report summarizing recent activity at the IU, including approvals at that IU of resignations, retirements, leaves and several hires and agreements; he said the IU held an executive session on Jan. 20 and that the IU's regular meeting followed. The IU report, as presented, listed several personnel changes (four resignations, four retirements, three FMLA leave requests) and hiring approvals (including four replacement teachers and other support staff), and indicated contracts and calendars that were approved at the IU meeting. The board president noted that more-detailed IU minutes were available on the IU website.

Meeting procedure: the board held its executive session before the public meeting; the public meeting included a roll-call vote to approve the consent agenda, a separate motion to employ personnel with the clearances condition, and the tax-collector compensation resolution. The transcript records the motions, seconds, roll-call aye votes and the statement that "motion carried." The meeting closed with a brief yearbook/photo note and adjournment at 7:33 p.m.

The board did not provide numeric vote tallies or identify which members seconded each motion on the record; the meeting transcript records voice/roll-call ayes and the chair's announcement that motions carried.