MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Area School Board appointed Bernard Stellar interim superintendent on a month-to-month basis Thursday night and also designated administrators Lisa Varano and Gregory Sacavage as interim senior and junior high school principals, respectively.
Stellar, who has been high school principal since 2007 and has served as administrator-in-charge on an interim basis since early last month, was granted a $1,600 per month stipend for the additional duties he will incur as interim superintendent.
The appointment, which is retroactive to Aug. 1, authorizes Stellar to sign any and all documents and reports mandated by the state.
Board President Rose Marquardt said Stellar, who has 23 years of service to the district, is among 18 applicants for the permanent position of superintendent. The board has one year to appoint a permanent superintendent from the effective date of former superintendent Cheryl Latorre's resignation.
Latorre was hired under a five-year contract June 14 as the new superintendent at Danville Area School District.
Varano was appointed interim senior high school principal and curriculum coordinator, while Sacavage was named interim junior high school principal and athletic director on a month-to-month basis, retroactive to Aug. 23. Varano and Sacavage will receive stipends of $800 per month and $500 per month, respectively, for the extra duties they will inherit.
Voting to approve all three positions were Marquardt, Donna James, Charles Mannello, Dr. Ray Kraynak, Robert Muldowney, Joseph D'Andrea, Nicholas Goretski III and Michael Rovito. Director
Judy McCollum was absent.
Charles J. Mannello, a certified public accountant and son of school director Charles Mannello, who was hired in August to provide financial consulting services on a per diem basis, commended all the administrators, teachers and staff for taking on additional duties to help better the district.
In other business, the board appointed Frank Brosh athletic fields manager at a rate of $11 per hour plus benefits.
David McFee, who operates the district's television studio, was appointed media engineer at a stipend of $3,900.
Charles J. Mannello was appointed primary delegate for the district to the Northumberland County Taxing Committee, while Solicitor Edward Greco was named an alternate to the committee.
The board agreed to transport members of the girls' volleyball team from Mount Carmel Area High School to Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School for practices. In June, the school board agreed to enter into a cooperative agreement with Lourdes that involves the volleyball and softball players at Mount Carmel Area playing for Lourdes.
Directors approved the use of a 54-passenger coach bus for the football team's game at West Perry High School tonight at no cost to the district.
The board recalled five furloughed aides and furloughed another aide and a physical education teaching assistant, whose position was eliminated. Board members also accepted the resignation of aide Jennifer Morris.
Tonya Kehler was hired as a personal care aide experienced in cochlear implants at a pro-rated salary of $18,500 with benefits.
Meghan Wasilewski was hired as a physical education teacher at a salary of $30,215 with benefits.
Marisa Yoder was hired as a special education teacher with a master's degree at a salary of $31,215 with benefits.
Elizabeth Heim and Marc Romanelli were hired as long-term substitute teachers to cover maternity leaves.
Pat Kimsal and Michelle Langton were hired as 4 1/2-hour per day and 3-hour per day cafeteria workers, respectively, at $7.25 per hour without benefits.
The board approved advertising for bids for the construction of a biking/walking trail on the high school campus near the soccer field. Sacavage said the trail will be approximately one-third of a mile long.
Directors approved the sale of advertising on WKMC and the football website at a rate of $500 per year for both.
Jessica Yerges was appointed high school bullying coordinator at a stipend of $250.
Amy Czech and Jennifer Biddinger were appointed freshman class advisers at a stipend of $125 each.
Christopher Cunningham was appointed Latin Club adviser at a stipend of $150.
Stellar said the fieldhouse project at the Silver Bowl is nearly complete.
Sacavage reported VIP passes for adults and students remain available at the high school. Adult passes are $35, while student passes are $20.
The athletic director was granted permission by the board to reopen the track for walking at the Silver Bowl.
Varano said homecoming festivities with a patriotic theme will be held Friday, Sept. 30.