Montrose administration building breaking ground

BY PAT FARNELLI

Montrose Area School Board heard reports on the start of the first phase of construction of the district’s new administration building Monday night, and Superintendent Michael Ognosky was pleased to have the job finally underway.

A hole is being excavated for the building’s basement, and although a groundbreaking ceremony has not been officially held, the excavation equipment is in place, a few test holes have been dug, and the excavation process for the building’s full basement was due to start Tuesday morning.

Every Thursday, a meeting will be held to update the faculty and staff on the building’s progress, Ognosky said.

Sami Bourizk, the head junior high football coach, was granted a one season unpaid leave of absence for the 2010 fall sports season, with the intent that he returns to this position beginning with the fall 2011 sports season. The leave was granted for health reasons, Ognosky said.

 Nicholas C. Pappas Jr. was appointed as head junior high football coach for the fall season, only contingent upon completion of employment requirements, at the rate of $1,550.

Two students were hired as part of the MASD Cooperative Occupational Experience Program for the 2010-2011 school year, at the rate of $7.25 per hour, for a maximum of 20 hours per week, retroactive to Aug. 25. The two students are Alexander Cranmer, Graphics Department student aide, and David Koloski, Technology Department student aide.

Cindy Balbi was employed as Library Aide at all three school buildings, effective Sept. 20, at the rate of $8.41 per hour plus benefits.

Craig Owens discussed the difficulties of deploying the new operating system for the school district, which has upgraded to Windows 7. He said that the new switches recently purchased have greatly aided data flow, and will save the district about $12,000 a year. He said that student aide Kosloski has been very helpful, developing the district website, display boards, and announcements.

The resignation of Kathleen Fetherby as an instructional aide in the autistic classroom at the Choconut Valley Elementary School, was accepted with regret by the board, effective Sept. 17.

The resignation of William Host as S.A.D.D. Advisor was accepted with regret, effective immediately. Ryan J. Griffiths was appointed as S.A.D.D. Advisor, effective immediately, at the rate of $1,800.

The following were hired as daily substitute teachers: Kenneth Cuomo Jr.—Social Studies; Brady Goldsmith—Music K-12; Sherri Warriner—emergency; Sara Warner–emergency; Jennifer Williams—Art K-12 and Elementary K-6; Alison Horne—emergency; and Steven Farrell—Elementary K-6 and Early Childhood N-3.

Shirley Kocik, Madeline Arnold, and Cynthia Bosscher were appointed as daily substitute nurses.

High school principal Jim Tallerico announced that Homecoming will be held on Oct. 1, and the Homecoming Dance on Oct. 2. He also said that this year’s “Pink Out” event in support of breast cancer awareness will incorporate the Midget Football players as well as the rest of the elementary school students.

The October meeting of the Montrose Area School Board will be held on Monday, Oct. 11, which is Columbus Day, at 7 p.m. in the Junior Senior High School Community Learning Center.

 During the October work session, the PSSA scores for the Montrose Area School District for 2009-10 will be publicly discussed, building by building, Ognosky said.