North Star School Board talks possible open position, building and grounds supervisor role

Joshua Byers, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·3 min read

Dec. 5—BOSWELL, Pa. — At January's meeting the North Star School Board may have to appoint someone to fill an open position just two months after the municipal election.

During Monday's gathering, the group welcomed newly elected members Lance Shawley, who won his seat in November, and Angelo Codispoti, who earned a spot as a new school director, and returning school directors Marty Blough and Michael Revak.

But there was an empty seat at the table.

Lyndee Walker had been elected to represent Region Three for the district, Somerset County unofficial results show, but was absent from the meeting.

"She's not sure if she's able to serve the board," Superintendent Louis Lepley said.

The matter has been discussed with solicitor Michael Barbera, who said Walker has 10 days from the start of her term — Monday — to make a decision either way.

However, he said the "preliminary indication" is she will not accept her election.

After the set time period, the board can declare the seat vacant and appoint another person to serve until the next municipal election.

As for Codispoti, he said that being a North Star graduate with children in the district, he's hoping to keep up the standards school and work to bring up the state assessment scores and proficiency during his term.

Shawley said he was happy to be elected by the public — he finished the term of the late Bernard Carlson Jr. after his death earlier this year — and is looking forward to doing what's best for the district.

Blough is going into his fifth term as a school director and was again elected as board president at the meeting.

In other business, the board discussed the custodial staff shortage the district is facing.

Terry Ohler, outgoing building and grounds supervisor, said he's down four positions, and this is a matter many schools in Somerset County are facing.

Lepley said one course is to raise the starting wage from $10.50 an hour to $12.50 and hour, which is more in line with neighboring districts.

Robbie Bloom asked if that adjustment can be made due to the contract and was told a memorandum of understanding would need to be accepted on both ends.

The group then authorized Barbera to draft an MOU for consideration in January to raise the custodial wages and approved a contract with WorkLink Staffing to hire temporary custodians, pending Service Employees International Union approval.

Additionally, they accepted the retirement of Ohler and discussed his successor.

Colleen DeLuca motioned to hire a candidate who'd been nominated as Ohler's replacement earlier this year, but the action failed with Shawley, Bloom, Kathy Shaffer, Cindy West and Blough voting against it.

The majority then approved advertisement of the building and grounds supervisor position.

The school directors also passed the next three-year comprehensive plan.

That document sets a variety of goals for students, staff and administrators that range from improving Keystone assessment scores in the middle and high schools to the elementary learners exceeding the statewide goal of proficiency in science and biology by 2030 and many more.

Also included are challenges that face the district throughout the next three years, such as the rate of proficiency related to how many of the youth are considered economically disadvantaged and how the Multi-Tiered System of Support will assist with these goals.