Dr. John Dietz to head Neshannock School Board

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Dr. John Dietz was elected president of the Neshannock School Board by a vote of 5-4.
Newly elected board members Bill Brown and Anthony Ross, along with Cheryl Kimmel, Jay Vitale and Dietz, voted for the president. Board members Mary Jo Coyne, Joseph Gierlach, James Kearney Jr. and Tracy Stevenson cast the no votes.
Kimmel was elected vice president, also by a 5-4 vote; Vitale will fill the treasurer position.
Dietz told the board Monday, "Let's work as nine independent thinkers with respect for our position on the board. We have a lot of tough decisions to make in the near future."
The district is in the midst of filling the superintendent's position. Dr. Michael Hink announced in August that he would retire as superintendent Jan. 30, 2006. The board also is interviewing candidates for the athletic director. Dietz also added that custodial, bus driver and teacher contracts will soon be expiring.
In other action, the board hired the following under supplemental contracts:.
U Charles Dess II, girls tennis coach, effective for the 2006-07 school year, at a rate of $4,243.
U Natalie Bell, newspaper adviser, effective immediately, $994.
U Alissa Smith, Ski Club adviser, for the 2005-06 school year, $608.