By Amy Cherry
Daily Press Staff

Personnel matters including new hires of both professional and substitutes as well as resignations, were approved at the latest St. Marys Area School District Board of Directors meeting.

All employment recommendations are provisional for 30 days pending receipt of Act 151 and Act 34 clearance documentation and pre-employment drug testing, if applicable.

New professional substitute personnel include:

• Sara Gresco of Ridgway as a substitute teacher at all school district buildings, effective April 17. She holds a bachelor of science degree in education from Mercyhurst College and is certified through an emergency permit. She was also a former teacher at St. Leo’s

• Kelly Brian of Ridgway as a substitute teacher in all district buildings, effective March 10. Brian holds a bachelor of science degree in microbiology from Penn State University and is certified through an emergency permit.

• Jessica Durian of Wilcox as substitute teacher in all district buildings, effective April 14. Durian holds a bachelor of science degree in education from Penn State University and is certified through an emergency permit. She is currently a Title I aide with the district.

• Stacey Brem of St. Marys as an elementary/special education substitute teacher at all district buildings, effective Feb. 29. Brem holds a bachelor of science degree from Clarion University.

• Corazon Kline of Weedville as a substitute teacher at Bennetts Valley Elementary, effective Feb. 8. Kline holds a bachelor of science degree in economics from Divine Word University-Philippines and is certified through an emergency permit.

• John DePanfillis of Ridgway as a substitute teacher at SMAMS and SMAHS, effective Feb. 21. He holds a bachelor of science degree in education from Clarion University and is certified in general science, health and physical education.

• Wes Haberberger of Kersey as a substitute teacher at SSMSE, SMAMS, SMAHS and Fox Twp. Elementary, effective Feb. 11. He holds a bachelor of science degree in recreation management from the University of Pittsburgh and is certified through an emergency permit.

Nancee Bernecky of Clarion and Cathy Zimmerman of Kersey were recently hired as a homebound teachers. Bernecky’s hire was effective Feb. 29 while Zimmerman was hired effective March 6. Both are currently teachers with the SMASD.

Numerous substitute personnel were hired including; Jeanette Gleixner of St. Marys as a substitute secretary, cafeteria worker and classroom aide at SSMSE, SMAMS and SMAHS, at a rate of $7.15 per hour effective April 2; Beth Gornati of St. Marys as a substitute secretary and cafeteria worker at all district buildings, at a rate of $7.15 per hour, effective March 5; Veronica Richards of St. Marys was hired as a substitute secretary and cafeteria worker, at a rate of $7.15 per hour, effective April 2; Courtney Lenze of St. Marys as a cafeteria worker at SMAHS at a rate of $7.25 per hour, effective April 8;

Nicole Lenze and Patricia McLaughlin, both of St. Marys were hired as a support substitute secretaries and classroom aides in all district buildings, at a rate of $7.15 per hour. Lenze’s hire was effective Jan. 21 while McLaughlin was hired effective Feb. 29, Janice Anderson of Weedville as a cafeteria worker at Bennetts Valley Elem., at a rate of $7.50 per hour effective March 31; Larry Fedorko of Wilcox as the SMAMS Outdoor Classroom Supervisor, at a rate of $16 per hour, effective Aug. 8, 2007; Stacey Urton of Weedville as a cafeteria worker at Bennetts Valley Elem., at a rate of $7.25 per hour, effective March 31.

Eileen Erich of St. Marys was hired as a health aid substitute, effective April 2. Erich will be working in all district buildings and is a registered nurse.

Several individuals submitted their resignations including support personnel; Jane Caretti of Weedville as a cafeteria worker effective March 14, Nicole Cashmer of St. Marys as a Title 1 tutor effective April 4, Joanne Garbic of St. Marys as an office worker/instructional aide effective June 20, Kelly Martin of St. Marys as a cafeteria worker effective March 21 and Stacey Urton of Weedville as a cafeteria monitor effective March 31.

Professional resignations were submitted by Kathryn Ames of St. Marys as a teacher at SSMSE, effective the end of the 2007-08 school year; Nancy Chestney of St. Marys as a teacher at SSMSE, also effective the end of the 2007-08 school year; Robert Timm of St. Marys as a teacher at SMAHS, effective June 9; Nancy Yorns of St. Marys as a teacher at SSMSE, effective June 9; Donald Bleggi of St. Marys as a teacher at SMAMS, effective June 10 and Larry Foster of Brockway as a teacher effective June 9.

    Patricia Rettger of St. Marys will transfer from SMAHS to SSMSE as a cafeteria worker, effective March 25.

A total of five unpaid leaves of absences were approved by the board over the past several months.

Supplemental contracts were approved for;

• Amy Sines, musical producer, at a rate of $882.

• Elissa Cunningham, assistant track and field coach, at a rate of $600.

• Christopher Gankosky, musical stage director, at a rate of $800.

• Dennis Hansen, as a volunteer assistant boys tennis coach.

• Andrew Herbstritt, assistant track and field coach, at a rate of $1,200.

• Irene McCandless, as a spring SMAMS gymnastics coach, at a rate of $767.

• Russ Micale, as an assistant track coach-pole vault, at a rate of $1,323.

• Jennifer Yavorsky, as a Varsity dance team coach, at a rate of $945.

• Andrew Alexander, as a volunteer track and field coach.

• Manuel Barbazzeni, track and field coach-sprinters, at a rate of $1,260.

• Michael Buchheit, track and field coach-junior high, at a rate of $630 for half a contract.

• Brian Ginther, volunteer as assistant softball coach.

• Wes Haberberger, volunteer as assistant baseball coach.

• Monte Surat, assistant softball coach, at a rate of $1,260.

Supplemental contractors for the 2008-09 school year include;

• Fawn McMackin, as head volleyball coach, at a rate of $2,315.

• Mark Morelli, first assistant coach, at a rate of $2,296.

• Daniel Vollmer, head golf coach, at a rate of $1,470.

• Kelly Carr, as head girls soccer coach, at a rate of $2,205.

• Stanley Foster, head cross country coach, at a rate of $1,621.

• Michelle Jackson, as head cheerleading coach, at a rate of $2,100.

• Russ Micale, as head soccer coach, at a rate of $2,100.

• Joe Schlimm, as head football coach, at a rate of $4,847.

Student lifeguards hired at a rate of $7.15 per hour were Michael Stebich of St. Marys, effective April 30 and Marina Weis of St. Marys, effective March 27. Elizabeth Storer of St. Marys will be the pool supervisor, at a rate of $15 per hour, effective March 27.

SMAHS student volunteers include Adam Brooks and Nate Forman.