The Montrose School Board named a new high school baseball coach Monday night and recognized the Choconut Valley archery program in its meeting at the Choconut school.
The board also approved a number of staff and extracurricular contracts, hires, and resignations.
Ryan Soden, who coaches the Montrose Junior American Legion baseball team, was hired as Head Baseball Coach for the 2011 spring sports season at the rate of $2,950.
Before his appointment was announced, however, a friend of recently dismissed baseball coach Todd Legg, showed up to speak during the visitor comments part of the board meeting to defend Legg, and to question whether the board’s previous action was in any way a violation of the Sunshine Law.
Brian Baker, a volunteer assistant baseball coach, said he has worked with Legg as a volunteer and previously as a paid assistant for the Montrose baseball team.
He said that it was his understanding that Legg had been offered the option of resigning or being terminated by the board earlier on June 14, and wondered if the board had met privately to make this decision prior to the 7 p.m. school board meeting that night.
Baker also questioned whether the board terminated Legg on the basis of a use of foul language toward a student that violated the school’s “zero tolerance” policy.
He said that he believes no mention is made of the zero tolerance policy and the usage of foul language in the coach handbook. He concluded by saying that he did not expect the board would comment on the matter.
Board member Douglas Wilcox thanked Baker, and said that the board regrets that Baker will no longer be coaching for the district, and noted that the board cannot comment on personnel matters.
The board recognized the excellent performance of the Choconut Valley Athletic Association archery program, including first place elementary team placement and second place middle school team performance at the National Archery in the School Program’s Pennsylvania State Tournament, held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. The entire group of students participating in the program were honored for their active involvement in the program, including those continuing with archery into seventh and eighth grade. In addition, four students went on to national competition.
Ryan Griffiths was hired as a full-time, contracted social studies teacher at the Junior-Senior High School contingent upon completion of employment requirements, at a salary of $41,434, plus fringe benefits. Five substitute teachers were hired: Bridgette Stone, Ashley Verrastro, Alison Proof, James Dougher Jr., and Kristen Lewis.
A new contract was approved for Michelle Lusk as business manager from July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2016, as submitted.
In addition to Soden, several other coaches were hired. Heather Bradley was hired as Assistant Volleyball Coach for the spring sports season at the rate of $2,200. James Fluck was hired as Junior High Cross Country Coach for the fall sports season at the rate of $2,310.
The board also accepted with regret the resignations of Emily Barile as Junior High Field Hockey Co-Coach and Mark Ziminsky as Junior High Field Hockey Co-Coach.
Carl Rinyu, night custodian at the Lathrop Street Elementary School, submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement, effective Sept. 1, 2010, which the board accepted with regret.
A bid was awarded to Singer Appliances in the amount of $92,019 for the replacement of dishwashers in each school cafeteria, to be paid from the 22 fund and the Food Service budget.
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