Tamaqua Area to complete final phase of roofing project

The Tamaqua Area School District is entering into the final phase of completing a roof restoration project.

The district's board of education on Tuesday night approved a contract for restoring two sections of the roof at West Penn Elementary School, Snyders.

The roofing project will be completed by Tremco, Inc., at the cost of $161,179.13.

"Where does this put us?" asked Daniel E. Schoener, board treasurer and chairman of the district's finance committee.

"This is it," said Business Manager Connie Ligenza, noting the project will be finished once the final two roof sections at West Penn Elementary are done.

The motion noted the project is being funded through PAPact. Ligenza explained the district has had a line item in its general fund budget over the five years of the roofing project, but this year, the state is using federal stimulus money as part of its educational subsidies to schools to keep those subsidies level.

"PaPact got us back up when we were flat last year," said Ligenza, noting the stimulus funds helped fund an increase to the district subsidy.

"It (the roof) was in the budget, but the source of funding is something we have to write for. We didn't have to in the past," she added.

Superintendent Carol Makuta said Facilities Manager Arthur Oakes, Jr. mentioned the roof of the high school natatorium is beginning to fail and the district might want to consider phasing in those repairs.

Board President Larry A. Wittig questioned what was meant by the roof might "fail". Makuta said it is at the point where it could start to leak.

In other business, the board authorized Ligenza to purchase upgrades to the high school fire alarm system from Simplex Grinnell off of the Pa. State Contract, in the amount of $33,000.

Ligenza was also authorized to open a money market account with Mauch Chunk Trust Company for the purpose of investing general and scholarship funds.

Board Secertary Robert W. Betz read a letter from the secretary of the state Department of Education noting that the district's fiscal audit for the years 2005 and 2006 have been completed with no findings or observations for those years.

Personnel moves

In personnel matters, the board tendered professional status to Krystal Schmauch after three years of service with satisfactory ratings.

Katie Carter, Pitman, was added as a substitute teacher.

Katharine Figueroa, Coaldale, was approved as a substitute guest teacher.

The resignation of Mary Berk as a part-time paraprofessional was accepted, effective Jan. 11.

Kimberly Feisel, Lansford, was approved as a temporary part-time paraprofessional, and Joann Thomas, Mahanoy City, as a substitute paraprofessional, at the rate of $7.25 per hour.

The following were approved as substitute cafeteria workers: Ann Jones, Tamaqua; Stacey Grega, Summit Hill; Frances Nazar, Middleport; and Linda Duda, New Ringgold.

The following were hired as cafeteria workers: Karen Berezwick, seven hour, full time, at $10.10 per hour; Dana Valentine, seven hour, full time, at $8.38 per hour; and Angela Kalchick, Tamaqua, five hour, part-time, at $7.45 per hour.

Trips approved

The board also approved several trips.

Oakes will attend the National Facilities Management and Technology Conference in Baltimore, Md., March 16-18.

Thorn Devlin, Ski Club advisor, will chaperone the club's overnight weekend ski trip to Killington, Vt., March 5-7.

Sally LeMasters, Middle School librarian, will attend Book Expo America at the Jacob Javits Center, New York City, May 25-27.

The district's administration is authorized to attend the 2010 EduComm Conference in Nevada.

A request by Melissa Day, high school language arts teacher, for use of the high school pool for a faculty family event was approved.

Homebound instruction was approved for two district students.