Poland school board grants medical leave to principal
Staff report
POLAND
The Poland Board of Education has granted a second medical leave of absence to the high school principal.
Vincent Procopio has been on sick leave since the beginning of the school year and will remain on it through July 31, which is also the end-date for his current contract.
Ohio law allows state employees, including teachers, to accrue sick leave — 1.25 days of sick leave for every month an employee works, said Poland Superintendent Robert Zorn.
“If you’re going to be off for more than a week, we require a physician’s statement,” Zorn said, adding that the board has received one from Procopio’s physician.
Procopio has worked for in public school systems for nearly 30 years and has accrued the time off, Zorn said.
Procopio was hired as the Poland Seminary High School principal Aug. 1, 2007, with a two-year contract and an annual starting pay of $85,230. His annual salary now is about $87,000. The school board will decide whether to renew Procopio’s contract in April.
Kevin Snyder will continue to be the interim principal and receive a $2,500 stipend, and Mike Daley will continue as the dean of students, also receiving a $2,500 stipend. Snyder makes about $72,000 annually, and Daley makes about $55,000.
In other business, the board:
Accepted the retirement of Carmella Smallhoover, Poland Union Elementary School principal, effective March 1.
Changed the cost of preschool fees from $100 to $110 for 4-year-olds Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 11:30 a.m.; and from $150 to $175 for 4-year-olds who attend those days from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.