MOUNT CARMEL - Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School Athletic Director Michael Klembara praised Mount Carmel Area school board directors, administrators, coaches, players and fans Thursday night for their cooperation and support in making the co-op sports programs between the two schools very successful.
Klembara, speaking at the beginning of the monthly school board meeting, commended Mount Carmel Area School District officials for agreeing years ago to enter into a co-op agreement with Lourdes, which has grown over the years to include several sports. He said the co-op agreement started with Lourdes' students participating in the track and field program at Mount Carmel Area and has expanded into swimming, wrestling, golf and most recently, football,
volleyball, softball and baseball.
"You have a great organization here," he said. "Your coaching staffs have made our kids feel very welcome from the start and you are to be commended for supporting the co-op programs, which I believe have benefited both schools and made athletics more competitive for our athletes."
Klembara, who also has served as a longtime teacher, football and girls' basketball coach at Lourdes, said he has worked closely with Mount Carmel Area Athletic Director Greg Sacavage in coordinating the co-op programs. "Greg has been great to me and the kids, and you have outstanding tradition here, particularly with the football program," Klembara said.
Klembara said the schools also are considering entering into a co-op agreement for boys' soccer and football cheerleading next year.
Other business
The board accepted the resignations of girls' track coach Angela Farronato, varsity baseball coach Joe Varano and assistant varsity baseball coach John Lepley.
A few months ago, the board did not accept Varano's resignation. But on Thursday, it voted 7-1 to do so in order to proceed with hiring a new coach.
Director Charles Mannello, who cast the lone dissenting vote, said he wants the board to invite Varano to a future meeting so he can state his reasons for resigning. "I think he did a hell of a job and got a bum rap," he said.
The board also approved the appointment of Matt Narcavage as an assistant wrestling coach.
The directors accepted a bid from Dudash Pipleine Company to install a biking/walking trail on the high school campus at a total cost of $23,772.77. The trail, which will be about one-third of a mile long, will be funded through a Highmark Healthy High 5 Super Challenge Grant at no cost to the district.
Directors passed a resolution to create an assigned fund balance for projected retirement rate increases and potential higher costs for medical insurance, and any unexpected costs to maintain the district's facilities.
Board members agreed to develop a policy that prohibits everyone except participants and designated employees from being on athletic fields, courts, wrestling floor areas and the pool deck. Exceptions will be made in case of injury.
Berkheimer Outsourcing was approved to process the annual Act mailing (Homestead) at a unit cost of .284 cents.
The board granted permission for the Elks Hoop Shoot to be held at the high school from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 10.
Directors approved a three-year contract with Pitney-Bowes to provide three postage meters for the district at a rate of $156 per month.
Acting Superintendent Bernie Stellar and interim high school principal and curriculum coordinator Lisa Varano were appointed open records officers for the district.
At the end of the meeting, Stellar presented board members Michael Rovito, Robert Muldowney and Rose Marquardt with certificates from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association for their longtime service to the district.
Rovito and Marquardt have served on the board for 16 years, while Muldowney has been a director for 12 years.
Stellar also presented special gifts to outgoing board members Marquardt, Joseph D'Andrea and Judy McCollum, who was absent.
Stellar told Marquardt, "You have bled red and white for a long time. Thank you for your outstanding service to this district."
Marquardt, who serves as board president, said, "It's been an honor and privilege to work with each and every one of you. It's been a great time. The students of this district are lucky to have people on the board who really look out for their best interests."
The board's annual reorganization meeting will be held Dec. 5 in the board room at the high school, followed by the regular meeting.