Bethel Park School Board recognizes Renno Young
The Oct. 28 Bethel Park School Board meeting began with the recognition of an heroic student and an award-winning principal.
State Sen. Matt Smith (D-37th District), Rep. John Maher (R-40th Legislative District) and a representative of Rep. Rick Saccone’s (R-39th Legislative District) office presented citations to high school Principal Zeb Jansante in recognition of his being chosen as the 2014 Pennsylvania High School Principal of the Year.
The trio then presented high school senior Renno Young with citations from the state House of Representatives and the State Senate in recognition of his actions in rescuing an elderly neighbor from her burning home.
“This can’t be celebrated enough,” said Maher, who called Young “a good neighbor who happened to be very brave.”
During the business portion of the meeting, board members approved a contract with Hayes Design Group for the design phase of the renovation project at George Washington Elementary School. The contract calls for costs not to exceed $200,000.
The project at the school will include improvements to the HVAC system, as well as lighting and ceiling tile replacement. The entire project is expected to cost approximately $3 million, with the funds coming from the capital reserve fund, said Matthew Howard, assistant to the superintendent/finance and operations.
By a vote of 5-4, board members rejected a motion to spend $11,495.53 for new furnishings for the administration building. Board president Donna Cook and board members Cynthia Buckley, Dr. Tim Campbell, Jim Means and Connie Ruhl voted again spending the money for conference room furniture and two office desks.
The administration building is slated to undergo minor renovations with the work being done by district staff.
After much questioning of staff, board members did approve the purchase of a new truck for the maintenance department. The truck, which costs $55,072.36, will have many uses, including snow plowing, explained Leonard Corazzi, director of finance and operations.
“We keep seeing trucks and vans coming up (for purchase approval),” said Cook. “I think we need to get a better handle on what we have and what they are used for.”
In a unanimous decision, board members approved a contract with SunGard K-12 Education to provide a new student information and learning management system.
The system will replace several other programs, currently in use by the district, which track items such as student progress, attendance and information.
Implementing and using the SunGard system is expected to cost the district $375,000 over the first five years.
“That’s a lot of Chromebooks and band uniforms,” said Campbell, commenting on the cost.
Committee members, who researched different systems for the district, unanimously recommend the SunGard system.
SunGard uses a single log-in and offers mobile technology. It is also very user-friendly and will make life for staff, parents and students better and easier, committee members said.
Ron Reyer Jr., director of technology, said that in the long run, the new system will save the district money.
No action was taken on an earlier recommendation to allow ninth grade students to join the high school marching band. The topic was discussed at the board’s committee meeting on Oct. 21, but was removed from the voting agenda.
“The band directors had some concerns about the timeline to implement the program and they asked us to hold it for the time being,” said superintendent Nancy Aloi Rose.