MOUNT CARMEL - Middle school principal Donna Veach was unanimously hired Thursday night by Mount Carmel Area School Board as the new elementary school principal for the district, while two other current administrators were given interim titles that require them to conduct additional duties.
Following a 45-minute executive session, the board reconvened at 9:20 p.m. to conduct further business that included appointing Veach as elementary school principal at her current salary of $61,878. She will replace Angela Farronato, who was hired last month as the new middle school principal at Southern Columbia Area School District at a salary of $72,000. Farronato's salary at Mount Carmel Area was $62,725.
Farronato served as elementary school principal for one year and was employed in the district for 21 years.
Directors named high school principal Bernie Stellar administrator-in-charge/high school principal on an interim basis at his current salary of $66,096.
Curriculum coordinator Lisa Varano was appointed interim middle school principal/curriculum coordinator at her present salary of $60,046.
Voting to approve the appointments were Directors Rose Marquardt, Michael Rovito, Dr. Raymond Kraynak, Donna James, Charles Mannello, Judy McCollum and Joseph D'Andrea. Nicholas Goretski III and Robert Muldowney were absent.
Replacements sought
With Veach's hiring, the school board is still seeking replacements for Superintendent Cheryl Latorre and business administrator Janis Venna, who were hired for the same positions at Danville Area School District at higher salaries.
Latorre, who provided three decades of service to Mount Carmel Area as a teacher and administrator and had served as superintendent since 2005, was hired under a five-year contract June 14 as the new superintendent at Danville at a salary of $125,000. Her salary at Mount Carmel Area was $103,000.
Latorre's last day of employment with the district was July 29.
Venna, who has been employed in the financial office for 16 years at Mount Carmel Area, accepted a position as business manager at Danville last month at a salary of $85,000. She was making $61,000 in at Mount Carmel Area.
Marquardt, board president, thanked Venna for her "outstanding service" to the district.
Venna, who was attending her last meeting Thursday, thanked the board and district for their support and the opportunities they have afforded her over the past 16 years. "We have a fine school district, which has been able to achieve much with limited resources," she said. "We have been able to end the 2010-11 fiscal year with a balanced budget and no deficit."
Marquardt said the district has received 18 applications for superintendent. She said eight finalists have been chosen and will be interviewed by board members in the near future.
Among the area applicants are Shamokin Area Superintendent Chris Venna of Kulpmont, Stellar of Kulpmont, Mark Semanchik of Frackville, Monica McKerns-McConnell of Mount Carmel, and Christopher Cooper of Elysburg.
In other business
The board agreed to enter into a contract with Charles J. Mannello, a certified public accountant, for financial consulting services on a per diem basis. Mannello is a son of school board member Charles Mannello, who abstained on the vote.
Chris Cunningham was hired as a Latin teacher at a salary of $30,215 after the board accepted the resignation of French/Latin teacher Lauren Murphy.
The board also accepted the resignation of special education teacher Jennifer McGinley.
JoAnn Kreisher was hired as a four-hour per day cleaning person at $7.25 per hour without benefits. She will replace Cheryl Lupatsky.
The board initially tabled a motion to recall two furloughed elementary school teachers in order of seniority, but later agreed to recall the instructors. Solicitor Edward Greco said it is unknown which teachers will be recalled because the board has not determined who has the most seniority.
Kraynak voted against recalling the teachers, while Mannello pointed out that the instructors will be furloughed again if they are not needed or if the salaries for their positions are over budget.
Karen Zimmerman was hired as a girls' junior high basketball coach at a salary of $550.
The board agreed to rent a roller from Vought's Equipment Rental to use on the football and band/soccer fields at a cost of $1,000.
Directors approved the purchase of shelving for the fieldhouse at the football stadium from Hertz Furniture Systems at a cost of $1,081.97. The shelves will be installed by district maintenance staff.