MOUNT CARMEL - Bernie Stellar, a Mount Carmel Area alumnus and well known band director for the district, was unanimously approved as superintendent of schools Thursday night after serving as acting superintendent for the past year.
The 52-year-old Stellar, who resides in Den-Mar Gardens and is a native of Kulpmont, will receive a salary of $90,000 under the five-year contract. He was getting paid $66,000 per year and an additional $1,600 per month to serve as acting superintendent.
Voting to appoint Stellar as superintendent were Directors Nicholas Goretski III, Thomas Ditchey, Donna James, Dr. Raymond Kraynak, Raymond D. Kraynak, Robert Muldowney, Michael Rovito, Michael Brinkash and Charlie Mannello.
Stellar, who will still be in charge of overseeing the high school band program, was thrilled after being named superintendent. "I really appreciate all the support and trust I've received from the school board and staff," he said. "Although I will still be overseeing the high school band, let it be clear that my primary job will be serving as superintendent of schools."
Stellar said he will receive additional money for his band director duties, but said a figure hasn't been calculated yet.
Goretski and Rovito praised Stellar for his dedication to the district and thanked the committee members who recommended Stellar for the post.
He received a nice round of applause from approximately 40 people who attended the session that was moved from the board meeting room to the large group meeting room at the high school.
MCA grad
Prior to being named acting superintendent last year, Stellar, a 1977 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School, served as high school principal for four years. He previously was a music teacher and has served as high school band director since 1989.
Stellar, who was a Mount Carmel Area "Mountie" for six years during his scholastic days, said he wasn't aware of any other superintendent in the state who also serves as a band director, but said there are some superintendents who still teach classes.
He graduated with a degree in music education from Lebanon Valley College in 1981 and earned a master's in education leadership and his principal's certificate from Wilkes University. He also earned a superintendent's letter of eligibility from Edinboro University.
Coaches', advisors' salaries
The other hot topic at Thursday's meeting regarded reinstating all salaries for coaches and club advisers that had been cut in half for the 2011-2012 school year. But the issue never actually had to be placed on the agenda because it was previously approved by virtue of the board's vote last year to only cut the salaries for one year due to financial problems facing the district.
The board agreed with Rovito's recommendation to strike the motion to reinstate the salaries from the agenda, but the issue was still debated by board members.
Goretski commended the teachers for acting in good faith by taking the one-year pay cut, but warned that they may be requested to do the same in the future.
He said the motion approved on June 22, 2011, to cut the salaries apparently was misinterpreted, which led to confusion and the placing of a motion to reinstate the salaries on Thursday's agenda.
He said, "I appreciate you stepping up to the plate and taking one for the kids," Goretski said. "But remember, we (board members) don't get paid either. We aren't scrooges here."
But Dr. Kraynak voiced a different opinion.
"The school district is broke," he said. "We saved about $180,000 by cutting the salaries, which amounts to about three or four teachers. We may need to lay off more teachers in the future. We will need more than $1 million in the next three years to meet our pension obligation and we will have to raise taxes drastically. The budget crisis is only going to get worse. This sounds rosey, but there is no money. You can't let any snake oil salesman tell you different."
Ditchey added, "I'm not against the coaches. They do a good job. But I want to see a breakdown of the salaries and the coaches' duties. Some of those positions may not be needed. I'm for education first. Extra curriculars are second. I just want to research the issue further."
Rovito said coaching is an extension of teaching and the district can't afford to lose good coaches and advisers by paying them minimal salaries.
Joseph Varano, a history teacher and coach in the district, read a prepared statement to the board while serving as spokesman for the approximate 30 coaches and advisers in attendance.
Varano said teachers depend on their coaching salaries and discussed the many hours coaches and advisers put into their programs.
"One year ago, we were told in good faith that our stipends would be cut in half for one year only," he said. "And in good faith, coaches continued to coach and advisers continued to advise so the kids wouldn't suffer. We obliged and now we are asking you to do the same. Act in good faith and recognize the loyalty and dedication of your coaches and advisers by reinstating our salaries to full pay."
Other business
Rachel Ulsh was hired as an elementary general music teacher at a salary of $33,341 with benefits after the board accepted the resignation of Erica Sechler, who served in the same position.
The board accepted the resignation of cafeteria worker Tracy Weidner and hired Amy Weikel as a part-time custodian for four hours per day at a rate of $7.25 per hour without benefits.
Lisa Toms, Margaret Barnhardt and Michael Paulson were approved as homebound instructors.