By Amy Cherry
Daily Press Staff

Several business and personnel items were addressed at the recent special meeting of the St. Marys Area School District Board of Directors.

Superintendent Murray Neeper applauded the success of the school district is achieving annual yearly progress (AYP) as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PADEP) for the 2007-08 school year.

“This represents an amazing achievement on the part of both students and faculty,” Neeper said. “Making this bump is a major accomplishment for our staff.”

Neeper added that there are two areas in which the district will focus on and continue to work on.

The district also received approval from PADEP on the second review of their wellness policy.

During the superintendent’s comments, Neeper informed the board that KTH Architects continue to solicit bids for ceiling and duct work taking place at the St. Marys Area Middle School. The work will be deferred until next summer, as the work will not be completed by the beginning of the new school year.

Neeper explained that KTH recommended to move the project date so as not to disrupt the school environment while schoo is in session.

The district plans to partner with the Stackpole Hall Foundation in creating a shared arts program between St. Marys, Johnsonburg and Ridgway school districts. The program would initially be focused at the elementary level.

Neeper explained that with the passing of the state budget, the district received a 3.9 percent increase in basic subsidy funding, as partially determined in the state’s costing out study. He added the district was slightly under-budgeted as far as what it was expecting to receive for its special education program.

New students and parents are encouraged to attend student orientation events scheduled for the following dates; St. Marys Area Middle School sixth grade orientation on Aug. 19 from 6-8 p.m. and Aug. 20 from 1-2:30 p.m. and St. Marys Area High School  freshman orientation on Aug. 5 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and Aug. 6 from 9-11 p.m.

Elementary school faculty members will participate in power school software training on Aug. 11, 12 and 13.

The board also approved the recommendations of personnel actions. All employment recommendations are provisional for 30 days pending the receipt of Act 151 and Act 34 clearance documentation and pre-employment drug testing if applicable.

New professional hires included;

Daniele Auman of St. Marys as a reading specialist, effective Aug. 25, at Bennetts Valley Elementary and St. Marys Area Middle School. Auman holds a masters degree in education from St. John’s University and is certified in elementary and literacy through sixth grade.

Paula Bauer of St. Marys as an elementary teacher, effective Aug. 25, at Bennetts Valley Elementary. Bauer holds a masters equivalency in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is certified in elementary, mid-level math, English, social studies and science. She is currently a substitute teacher for the district.

Kelly Carr of St. Marys as a language arts teacher, effective Aug. 25, at St. Marys Area Middle School. Carr holds a bachelor of  science degree in education from Clarion University and is certified in mid-level English and math, social studies and English 7-12. She is currently a tutor for the district.

Chasidy Gornati of Kersey as an elementary teacher, effective Aug. 25, at South St. Marys Street Elementary. Gornati holds a bachelor of science degree in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is currently a substitute teacher for the district.

Rebecca Lenze of St. Marys as an elementary teacher, effective Aug. 25, at South St. Marys Street Elementary. Lenze holds a bachelor of science degree in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is currently a Title 1 tutor for the district.

Diana Marsh-Spiga of Brockway as an elementary teacher, effective Aug. 25, at South St. Marys Street Elementary. Spiga holds a master degree in education from Clarion University and is certified in elementary K-6, early childhood and program specialist in English as a Second Language (ESL). She is currently a substitute teacher within the district.

Martha Philippone of DuBois as an elementary teacher, effective Aug. 25, at Fox Township Elementary. Philippone holds a bachelor of science degree of education and a masters degree in business administration from Clarion University. She is currently a substitute teacher within the district.

Tracey Smith of St. Marys as an elementary teacher, effective Aug. 25, at South St. Marys Street Elementary. Smith holds a bachelor of science degree in education from Slippery Rock University and is certified in elementary and early childhood.

Travis Wendel of St. Marys as an elementary teacher, effective Aug. 25 at South St. Marys Street Elementary. Wendel holds a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. He is currently a substitute teacher within the district.

A professional resignation was received from Agnes Sample of Curwensville, as an elementary teacher, effective June 10.