AUSTINTOWN 5 new Fitch teachers hired

Four new social studies instructors are needed because of curriculum realignment.
AUSTINTOWN -- The school board has hired a science teacher and four new social studies teachers for Fitch High School under one-year contracts for next school year.
The new science teacher is James E. Lapinski of Boardman, and the new social studies teachers are John P. Corey of Boardman and Mary Ellen Leskovec, Bruce G. Montgomery and Cara M. Bokesch, all of Austintown.
Three of the new social studies teachers the board hired Tuesday are filling new positions, and the fourth is filling an opening created by a retirement. Their salaries are still being worked out.
Thomas S. Inchak, director of instruction, said the new social studies teachers are needed because the curriculum has been realigned to teach American and world history in the ninth and 10th grades to prepare students for the new state 10th-grade proficiency test and because more students are taking social studies electives.
Retaining teachers: During a transitional period next year, students in all four grades at Fitch will be taking U.S. or world history, Inchak explained. Inchak said the new social studies teachers could be retained even after the transitional period because of retirements and resignations. He said they are also certified to teach in the middle school.
High school enrollment runs between 1,700 to 1,800 students, said Superintendent Richard E. Denamen.
The board also accepted the retirement of James A. Patti, an occupational work adjustment teacher at Fitch, effective July 1, after 35 years with the district. The board also accepted Patti's resignation as driver education coordinator and yearbook business adviser.
The board accepted the resignation, effective Aug. 26, of Laura K. Chambers, a Fitch English teacher, who intends to enter law school.
The board also approved a list of 380 seniors for graduation at 3:30 p.m. June 10 in Fitch Stadium.