Beaver Area School District approves teaching‑assistant wage increase, longevity stipends and multiple hires

The Beaver Area School District Board of School Directors on Aug. 12 approved personnel measures that include a $0.50 hourly wage increase for teaching assistants and a longevity stipend for TAs who reach the pay cap.

The wage change raises the starting wage to $15.00 per hour and sets the cap at $16.75 per hour for the 2024–25 school year. The board also approved a longevity stipend to be paid at the end of the 2024–25 school year to teaching assistants who reach the hourly cap; the minutes list example stipend amounts for employees who reached eligibility (for example, a $1,000 stipend for employees with 14, 19 and 26 years of service and $325 for an employee with 10 years).

The board accepted personnel transfers and resignations as presented and approved multiple new hires pending required clearances and background checks prior to employment. Approved hires included hall monitors, long‑term substitutes, super substitutes and other classified staff with start dates noted in the minutes.

Athletics personnel approvals included volunteer assistant football coaches and a paid varsity assistant coach, with the minutes recording Matt Weiss as varsity assistant coach at a remuneration of $3,941.29, effective Aug. 1, 2024. The board also approved a $0.25/hour wage increase for van driver Dave Komatz, bringing his hourly rate to $13.45 (salary cap $13.45; starting salary listed as $10.00).

One appointment vote for extra‑duty stipends recorded an abstention: Andrea Walker was listed as abstaining on the appointed positions vote; all other recorded votes on personnel items were aye. Motions to approve personnel items were made by Luke Berardelli and seconded by Mark Korcinsky.

Next steps: Hires and volunteer approvals remain contingent on receipt of required clearances and background checks before the first day of employment.