By Amy Cherry

Staff Writer

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.

Keri Merklin of St. Marys, music teacher, resigned at the conclusion of the 2008-09 school year along with Charles Cleaver of Ridgway as a technology analyst.

One unpaid leave of absence was approved the board along with several professional hires including;

• Edward Brem of St. Marys was hired as a building construction trades teacher at St. Marys Area High School effective Aug. 25. Brem holds a bachelor of science degree in graphic communication design from LaRoche College. He past experience includes working at Daghir Construction, Level and Straight Construction and at Randall Brem Landscaping.

• Mark Caskey of St. Marys was hired as a teacher at South St. Marys Street Elementary effective Aug. 25. Caskey holds a bachelor of science degree in education from Robert Morris University and is certified in elementary K-6 and middle school language arts. He is currently a tutor within the district and was a former Title I reading instructor at Montour Area School District.

• Ann Defilippi of St. Marys was hired as a secondary language arts teacher at St. Marys Area High School effective Aug 25. Defilippi holds a bachelor of science degree in education from Susquehanna University and is certified in English, Communications. She is currently a facilitator and substitute teacher within the district and was a former resident assistant at Susquehanna University.

• Gina Fox of St. Marys was hired as a teacher at Fox Township Elementary School effective Aug. 25. Fox holds a bachelor of science degree in education from Mansfield University and is certified in elementary education. She is currently a substitute teacher within the district and was formerly employed at The Guidance Center as an early intervention specialist and in the Ridgway Area School District as a substitute teacher.

• Erin Giovanini of Weedville was hired as a teacher at Bennetts Valley Elementary effective Aug. 25. Giovanini holds a bachelor of science degree in education from Clarion University and is certified in elementary education. She is currently a tutor and homebound teacher within the district and was formerly employed by Club Z! In Home Tutoring.

• Jennifer Watkavitch of Weedville was hired as a teacher at Bennetts Valley Elementary effective Aug. 25. Watkavitch holds a bachelor of science degree in education from Penn State University and is certified in elementary K-6. She is currently a tutor within the district and was formerly employed as a summer school instructor in the Bellefonte Area School District.

Supplemental contracts were approved for;

• Michael Buchheit as an assistant track and field coach, at a rate of $662 for a partial contract.

• Anthony Defilippi as a first assistant football coach, at a new rate of $2,933.

• Patricia Hamblin as the Fox Township Head Teacher, at a new rate of $1,763.

In addition Monica Schloder of Emporium was hired as a substitute teacher effective May 13. Schloder holds a bachelor of science degree in education from the Pennsylvania State University and is certified in elementary education. She is currently a NTCAC Head-Start Coordinator and was formerly employed as a substitute teacher with the Cameron County School District and as a special education teacher at The Guidance Center.

Michael Belovesick of St. Marys was also hired as a substitute technology teacher effective June 8 at a rate of $12 per/hour. He is currently self-employed at Belo Tech Computer Solutions and was formerly a technical director with AT&T and as a network project engineer at Kissane Business Systems.

In addition numerous mentors were paired with temporary professional employees including Karen Moyer with Brem, Pamela Armanini with Caskey, George Neubert with Defilippi, Laura Taylor with Fox, Mary Ann Pyne with Giovanini and Jacquelyn Michuck with Watkavitch.

An executive session was held following the 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.