FARRELL SCHOOLS Pedas donates funds and offers his time

The former teacher has made nearly $400,000 in financial gifts to the school district over a 33-year period.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
FARRELL, Pa. -- Ted Pedas may have retired from the Farrell Area School District but he isn't going away.
He wants to come back to work as a volunteer.
Pedas, who retired last year as a teacher and director of the high school planetarium that bears his name, has been a generous benefactor to the school district during his years here.
He has given annual financial contributions to the district for the last 32 years and showed up at Monday's school board meeting to make his 33rd contribution.
This one totaled $30,980 for various programs and projects, bringing the 33-year total to $396,992.
Another offer
Pedas, who organizes astronomical and historical cruises around the world, also brought something just as important as money -- an offer of his time.
He said he wants to return as a volunteer in the district's planetarium 30 days per school year and said he would focus on programs for certain grade levels. He plans to work primarily with high school students this year.
Pedas said he will also be available to conduct workshops in astronomy, space and related sciences for elementary and high school teachers as well as offer special workshops on topics for the staff to acquire mandated teacher-training credits.
Michael Wright, board president, said the district will "most definitely" accept Pedas' offer. Without him, the planetarium would probably be closed because there's no one else to run it, Wright said.