Board approves HR slate including principal and police officer appointments; one abstention

The board voted on the human-resources folder during the Aug. 7 special work/voting session. Miss Britton Dozier moved the HR slate; the motion received a second and the board ultimately approved the items, with one abstention noted by Mrs. Blackburn on item number 7.

The HR folder included eleven voting items and one information-only item. The voting items covered resignations and retirements, appointments and wage-status changes, leaves of absence, recognition for additional education, honoraria and club-activity rates (some rates still to be finalized), supplemental contracts, and multiple administrative appointments: an Ingomar Middle School principal, a Hoseck Elementary School principal, and a coordinator of special education and gifted education. The board also voted to appoint a school police officer (Patrick Cerullo) and welcomed the new hires who addressed the board.

On the nonvoting information item, administration said the recommended renewal of the district’s medical insurance contract with UPMC will be presented at the Aug. 14 meeting; staff said the annual renewal has been negotiated to not exceed a 5.5% overall increase, and that vision and dental contracts with UPMC Vision Care and United Concordia remain in year two with no premium change.

A board member reminded colleagues to abstain as necessary for potential conflicts on HR items. Mrs. Blackburn stated she would abstain from item 7 because her son is a volunteer coach. The vote was announced as passed except for that single abstention.