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Struthers BOE approves personnel changes at Tuesday meeting
By EMMALEE C. TORISK
STRUTHERS
In preparation for the 2013-14 school year, which begins Monday, the Struthers Board of Education approved appointments of personnel during its meeting this week.
“We’re excited for this new energy to come in,” said Superintendent Joe Nohra. “Struthers is a tight-knit community, and we’ll make sure they succeed.”
The board hired Katie Olson as a first-grade teacher at an annual salary of $43,253; Nicole Rymer as a middle-school language arts teacher at $31,117; and Tina Dudley as a janitorial technician for the wellness center, locker rooms and stadium at $5,880.59.
Toni DelDuchetto and Samantha Ditman were hired as licensed intervention tutors at the elementary school for the school year, for which they will be paid $18 an hour for no more than 20 hours of work per week.
Lori Hynes, too, was appointed as a licensed intervention tutor for the same rate, albeit at the middle school and for no more than 24 hours of work weekly.
For the athletics program, the board appointed several volunteers: Cathy Wilaj for cheerleading; Ron Iarussi, Robert Milone and Joe Musolino for football; and Lisa Granitto for soccer. All must meet the state requirements for CPR certification, attend a first-aid training program and have current fingerprints on file, as the law mandates.
Resigning are Kristin Fox, seventh-grade language arts teacher; Pat Costello, health aide at the middle and high schools; and Lori Saunders, coordinator of special services.
Nohra indicated that the district would enter a services contract with the Mahoning County Educational Service Center for school year to temporarily replace Saunders. This move will result in “substantial savings,” but may not be sustainable in the long term, he said.
The board also approved middle-school teacher Laura Brown’s taking a family medical leave of absence between Oct. 9 and Dec. 4.
Other business included the approval of amendments to two supplemental contracts.
First, per an agreement between the Struthers Education Association, which is the teachers’ union, and the Struthers Board of Education, the board increased the supplemental rate of lead mentor to 6 percent — an increase of $933, Nohra said.
Six certified staff members also were selected as mentors for the Resident Educator Program, through which the district’s new teachers are mentored.
Second, in accordance with an agreement between the board and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 261, the compensation for the “sub caller,” or the central person responsible for tracking hours worked by janitorial technicians and custodians, will increase from $1,350 to $3,350.
The board will next meet at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at the board of education office, 99 Euclid Ave.