SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION Two retired administrators return to West Branch schools

Lou Ramunno and Leonard Slack are still employed with the district.
By JoANN JONES
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BELOIT -- The West Branch school board meeting featured retiring school administrators.
Board President Larry Romigh read a resolution commending the dedication and commitment of retiring Superintendent Louis A. Ramunno.
Even though Ramunno's retirement is effective July 31, the goodbye isn't forever because the board hired Ramunno as a consultant for the remaining Ohio School Facilities Commission structures being built -- Knox Elementary and Damascus Elementary. The district broke ground for both buildings last week.
Position demands
Scott Weingart, who was hired in June to succeed Ramunno, outlined Ramunno's new duties as attending construction meetings, preparing updates for board members and building administrators, working with the OSFC to resolve issues, coordinating the auction of old equipment and furniture and consulting with Weingart on change orders. Ramunno will be paid $30 per hour and work approximately 20 hours per week.
By the 2005-06 school year, Weingart said, the district will be completely rebuilt with the completion of the two elementary buildings. A second retired administrator, elementary principal Leonard Slack, also was hired as a part-time administrative assistant at $30 per hour. Slack will coordinate federal programs while mentoring Sherri Kitzmiller, hired as an elementary principal in April. He also will coordinate the Educational Management Information System while it's being handed over to clerical staff; provide support in the technical aspect of student scheduling, student data and grade reporting; and meet with Weingart to assist in areas of curriculum, testing, program reporting and technology.
Weingart said the two positions will not increase administrative costs because the administrative assistant position he currently holds will not be filled.
Other announcements
In other business at its meeting Thursday, the board voted to raise lunch prices 10 cents across the board with pupils in grades kindergarten through fifth grade paying $1.85, and pupils in grades six through 12 paying $2.10.
Board members approved $22,135 for the purchase of special education textbooks and approved a class called "Theater Applications" as an elective for fine arts credit.
In personnel action, the board hired Mount Union graduate Michael Sigler of North Canton as a high school math teacher at the district's base salary of $26,437.