MAR LIN - The Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 Board of Directors decided Monday to furlough two professional staff members, including the principal of Schuylkill Technology Centers-North Campus.
"It was for financial reasons, to reduce expenses at the technology centers," Diane M. Niederriter, IU 29 executive director, said after the board's May meeting.
In a single vote, the board unanimously took the following actions:
- Eliminated the position of principal at STC-North, Frackville, and furloughed the employee who has held that position since 2008, Cynthia Stasulli.
Stasulli worked for the Schuylkill IU 29 since September 1988. Her salary for the 2013-14 school year was $82,133.13, according to Brian A. Manning, IU 29 senior staff accountant.
Stasulli's furlough will be effective July 1, according to the board's agenda.
- Decided to advertise for and employ an assistant principal at STC-North for 200 days during the 2014-15 school year.
"The position of principal is being reduced to an assistant principal, for a 200-day contract. We're doing that to reduce costs," Niederriter said.
Stasulli can apply for that position, Niederriter said.
"We would expect that she would apply," Niederriter said.
In the 2014-15 school year, Kurt R. Lynch, the vocational director at STC-South, will take on some of the duties of the former principal at STC-North while maintaining his duties at STC-South, according to Niederriter and Manning.
There are 151 students enrolled in grades 10 through 12 at STC-South and 128 students enrolled at STC-North in grades 10 through 12, according to representatives of the IU 29 business office.
- Eliminated the position of assistant director of vocational education at STC-South and furloughed the employee who held that position since 2012, Veronica Kneal.
Kneal worked for the Schuylkill IU 29 since August 2005. Her salary for the 2013-14 school year was $65,868.50, according to Manning.
- Decided to advertise for and employ a cooperative education teacher for the 2014-15 school year.
The motion to approve these actions was made by board member Karen Hoy of Pine Grove Area School District, seconded by board Secretary Robert W. Betz of Tamaqua Area School District.
It was carried with votes from the other board members present at Monday's meeting: President Scott Jacoby of Schuylkill Haven Area, Vice President Charles Wagner of Pottsville Area, Treasurer Gretchen Ulmer of Minersville Area, member Jay Hanley of Mahanoy Area, member Suzanne O'Neill of North Schuylkill, member Daniel P. Salvadore of Shenandoah Valley and member Diane C. Dietrich of Tri-Valley.
Absent were member Anne J. F. Usuka of Blue Mountain and member John Mika of Williams Valley.
In a unanimous vote, the board appointed Jeannette Zembas of Saint Clair Area School District to the board.
Last month, Thomas F. Kaledas, who was appointed in November 2013, resigned. When contacted for comment Monday, Kaledas said he resigned from the post because he was unable to commit time to it due to scheduling conflicts.
The board also unanimously approved the 2014-15 fiscal year Intermediate Unit 29 Program and Administrative Budget, which totals $2,525,306.
According to the agenda, the spending plan was approved by all 12 of the school districts IU 29 represents.
At a half-hour executive session for personnel matters held before Monday's regular meeting, the board met with Charles N. Sweet, New Britain, Bucks County, the attorney representing the board in teacher contract negotiations.
On May 1, the union representing the 67 teachers at IU 29 said the teachers would like raises retroactive to the date their last contract expired, June 30, 2012.
"No retroactivity. Tonight the board has confirmed that is their position," Sweet said after the session.
Meanwhile, Sweet is still working on a contract proposal to present to the teachers.
"We'll have a comprehensive proposal ready by May 19," Sweet said.
On May 1, the parties set two dates for negotiations: 3:30 p.m. May 19, and 10 a.m. June 11.