Virtual Workshop Meeting, February 22, 2021
The February 22, 2021, workshop meeting of the Moon Area Board of Education was held virtually at 7:00 p.m., for general purposes. The meeting was CALLED TO ORDER by President, Robert Harper. The following directors were present:
Mr. Harper Mrs. Zieger Mr. Dugan Mr. Scappe Mr. Hauser Mrs. Partica Mr. Testa Mr. Bogatay
Mr. Hamilton-Archer entered the meeting at 7:12 pm.
Also, in attendance: Mr. Balaski, Dr. Beltz, Mr. Haslett, Ms. Regan, Dr. Prevost, Mr. Daniels, Mr. Roth and Mr. Cambest, Solicitor
There were approximately 81 audience members.
Mr. Harper announced that prior to this evening’s meeting, the Board met in Executive Session to discuss personnel and legal matters.
Mr. Balaski announced that this meeting will be recorded.
Superintendent’s Report
Mr. Balaski reported that the seniors started a Facebook page, Adopt a Senior. We will put information regarding this topic on our web site and ask that you only post positive comments. There have been questions on the differences in virtual days and snow days. We chose to educate students on the virtual days, so we do not prolong the 2020-2021 school year.
Ms. Lynn Colosi, Director, gave a presentation on the Moon Transportation Authority (MTA). Discussion was held between the MTA and the Board.
The Robert C. Harper Interchange Project, formerly known as the Thorn Run Interchange, won an award for upgraded safety and mobility. Mr. Bogatay requested that going forward, this interchange is referred to as the Robert C. Harper Interchange. Mr. Hauser will bring this up at the next MTA meeting and ask that the documents reflect this. The MTA and the Board discussed infrastructures, areas of development, the projects that the MTA is involved with, parts of projects they will be developing and the progress on all, etc.
Mr. Balaski reminded the audience members to raise their hand to speak and state their name, address, and comments to the Board.
Audience Recognition (Agenda Items)
None.
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Virtual Workshop Meeting, February 22, 2021
Payment of Bills
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Partica, SECONDED by Mr. Testa, “that the Board of Education approve the bills for payment as listed below in the amounts totaling $1,185,575.82 for the period February 6, 2021, to February 19, 2021:
General Fund $ 640,070.81 Activity Fund 736.06 Food Service 25,623.88 General Fund 519,145.07
Total $ 1,185,575.82”
All directors voted in favor on a roll call vote.
Allegheny Intermediate Unit OnRamp Grant for Remote Learning
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Testa, SECONDED by Mrs. Partica, “that the Board of Education accept the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s OnRamp Grant for Remote Learning in the amount of $1,950.00 to foster creativity and inquiry among students in a joyful way.”
All directors voted in favor on a roll call vote.
Incoming Kindergarten Book Donation
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Bogatay, SECONDED by Mr. Hauser, “that the Board of Education accept a donation of books from the Moon Public Library to pass out to our incoming Kindergarten families for distribution at our Kindergarten Round-Up to promote literacy. The books are titled, “Miss Bindergarten Goes to Kindergarten” and “First Days of School.” There is no cost to the district.”
All directors voted in favor on a roll call vote.
Personnel
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Hauser, SECONDED by Mr. Dugan, “that the Board of Education approve the items listed.”
I. Approval of Special Education Assistant LSS “that the Board of Education approve Stefanie Barringer, 120 Rivercrest Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108, to the Special Education Assistant LSS position at Brooks Elementary School pending receipt and review of clearances, with a start date to be determined.”
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Virtual Workshop Meeting, February 22, 2021
II. Approval of Library Assistant “that the Board of Education approve Charley Fiorante, 505 Emerald Drive, Moon Township, PA 15108, to the Library Assistant position at Hyde/McCormick Elementary Schools pending receipt and review of clearances, with a start date to be determined.”
III. Approval of Dishwasher/Server “that the Board of Education approve Christine Snyder, 415 Blue Ridge Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108, to the Dishwasher/Server position at Bon Meade Elementary School, pending receipt and review of clearances, with a start date to be determined.”
IV. Approval of Custodian “that the Board of Education approve Marvin Thorne, 801 Monaca Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001, to the Custodian position at the High School, pending receipt and review of clearances, with a start date to be determined.”
V. Approval of Internal Movements “that the Board of Education approve the following internal movements:
Dishwasher/Server – Brooks Elementary School Dawn Wildasin (effective 2/8/2021) Custodian – Allard/Brooks Elementary Schools Lynn McIntosh-Maxell (effective TBD).”
VI. Resignation “that the Board of Education accept the resignation from Daniel Bingham from his position as Custodian at the High School effective immediately.”
VII. Resignation
“that the Board of Education accept the resignation of Monica Zajicek from the position of Track Assistant Coach (A-3) effective immediately.”
VIII. Approval of Spring Event Workers for the 2020-2021 School Year
“that the Board of Education approve the following Spring event workers for the 2020- 2021 school year, per the recommendation of Mr. Ron Ledbetter, pending receipt and review of clearances and contingent upon the reopening of Moon Area School District during the 2020-2021 school year and approval of the interscholastic Spring sports programs under the laws and orders of the Federal, State, County, WPIAL and PIAA:
Track Substitutes Announcer Chuck Herbert Maureen Spezialetti Console Operator Tim Hrivnak Mike Spezialetti Starter Joe Martonik Rebecca Kuklish Event Workers Ray Saut Lynette Marchionda 3
Virtual Workshop Meeting, February 22, 2021
Jenna Napierski Heidi Gariti John Erath Colette Decker Angela Marino Tammy Yurkovich Mike Muraco Leighann Migliozzi Monica Zajicek Denise Blodis Ken Firmstone Shannon Yanek Brian Silvis Dan Bingham Tim Sherman Katelyn Danko Andrew Parshall Shawn Besong Mark Jeffries Judy McCutcheon Michelle Dunn
Boys Volleyball Event Manager Mike Neptune Scorekeeper/Clock Karen Neptune
Softball Event Manager (Vars/JV) Karen Neptune Event Manager (7/8) Maureen Spezialetti
Baseball Event Manager (Vars) Lisa Ellis Event Manager (7/8) Grace Mackin.”
IX. Approval of Spring Coaches for the 2020-2021 School Year
“that the Board of Education approve the following Spring coaches for the 2020-2021 school year, per the recommendation of Mr. Ron Ledbetter, pending receipt and review of clearances and contingent upon the reopening of Moon Area School District during the 2020-2021 school year and approval of the interscholastic Spring sports programs under the laws and orders of the Federal, State, County, WPIAL and PIAA:
Track and Field Assistant (A-3) Zoey Cook
Boys Rugby Volunteer Assistant Larry Wilson
Boys Lacrosse Volunteer Assistant Jake McKee.”
All directors voted in favor on a roll call vote.
Mr. Balaski reminded the audience members to raise their hand to speak and state their name, address, and comments to the Board.
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Virtual Workshop Meeting, February 22, 2021
Audience Recognition (Non-Agenda Items)
Carmen Harganrida, 111 Elm Lane, Moon Township, PA asked what is the plan and when is the district trying to get kids back to school 5 days a week? Mr. Balaski commented that it’s hard to get all students back 5 days a week at this point with a number of students that are still choosing to stay virtual.
Scott Kubatka, 822 Balmoral Court, Moon Township, PA commented that he is disappointed with the board members. Some directors are working towards change and some sit silent. This is very dysfunctional at best. He’d like to know what are we going to do about this moving forward? There are too many more important things that need to be discussed regarding education rather than the MTA.
Shirl Hoak, 309 MacNab Drive, Moon Township, PA asked if the district has asked parents if they would send their kids back 5 days a week? What is the reason why some other districts can go back 5 days a week? Some children don’t want to wait and need to be in school 5 days a week. She wanted to know why our students can’t return to school 5 days a week. Mr. Balaski commented that this is due to school safety and there are guidelines from the state that we have to follow. As of now the state recommends 100% virtual. He thinks we are doing pretty good educating our students in person and virtual with the plan we have now. Of course, he would like to have all students back 5 days a week. We have to educate over 4,000 students and it takes a lot more planning and to stay within the safety guidelines.
Adjournment
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Hauser, SECONDED by Mr. Bogatay, “that the Board of Education adjourn this meeting, 9:16 pm.”
All directors voted in favor on a voice vote.
Respectfully submitted,
______Lisa Brown Clerk, Board of Education
______James Bogatay Secretary, Board of Education
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