Shoaf to become superintendent

Fourth- and fifth-graders will return to Tod Woods School until the intermediate school is finally fixed.
GIRARD -- The school board approved a three-year contract for Dr. Joseph Shoaf, making the former junior high school principal the new superintendent of schools.
Shoaf said of staff students and parents, "Together, there is nothing we cannot do." Shoaf replaces Anthony D'Ambrosio, who resigned to become superintendent of the Trumbull County Educational Service Center.
Shoaf's salary from Aug. 1, 2001, to July 31, 2002, will be $79,000, raised to $81,370 for 2002-2003 and $84,624 for 2003-2004.
Health hazard: The board also awarded a contract to Precision Environmental Co. of Independence, Ohio, to remove carpeting deemed a health hazard by Clayton Group Services, environmental consultants, at Girard Intermediate School.
This cleanup will cost the board $77,650.
Richard Ragozine, board president, said that after the carpeting is removed, one classroom at the intermediate school would be used as a test room for checking the ductwork. When it's determined what is necessary, additional work will be bid to clean up the duct system.
Shoaf said the pupils and staff were the important issue and that no one would have classes at the school until it was fixed. Meanwhile the sixth grade will have class at the high school building and the fourth- and fifth- graders will return to Tod Woods School.
Girard officials also approved schematic drawings for the Prospect Elementary School project drawn up by Riciutti, Balog & amp; Partners of Youngstown.
The board also made these staff changes:
UHired substitute teacher Rebecca Lester on an as-needed basis.
UApproved teacher Loralee Sinopoli's return from maternity leave.
UAccepted the resignation of teacher Kristine DiPasqua and hired James Tedesco as a new math teacher at the high school.