Administrator leaving to become Ambridge Area superintendent

L. Jo Welter, director of human resources in the North Allegheny School District, will become superintendent of the Ambridge Area School District in June.

The North Allegheny school board accepted her resignation last week.

“We were fortunate to have Dr. Welter,” said superintendent Robert Scherrer, noting that, during her tenure, she negotiated contracts with every district bargaining unit.

She was hired as human resources director in January 2014. Prior to that, she was assistant superintendent in the Hampton School District and principal of North Allegheny Intermediate High School.

Also at its April 26 meeting, the board approved a $22,538 contract with VEBH Architects to provide preconstruction services for the renovation of Franklin, Hosack, Ingomar, McKnight and Peebles elementary schools. The schools were last renovated in 1999.

A similar motion failed in February after members objected to a provision that would study the cost of converting unused space at McKnight into classrooms. Members at the time objected to making the district’s largest elementary school even larger.

But VEBH’s bid came in $8,932 lower than the bid received in February. Also, it was determined that a twostory portion in the back of McKnight is deteriorating. The proposal will look at demolishing that portion, which would make McKnight smaller, Mr. Scherrer said.

The contract was approved 7-2, with Tara Fisher and Michael Meyer opposed.

The board hired Charlie Gauthier as supervisor of buildings and grounds at an annual salary of $74,000.

The board heard an update on Focus 2020, the district’s one-to-one technology initiative, including the use of current devices and steps to provide devices to more students next year.Two students spoke about their experiences.

Sophomore Luke Turkovich said having a school laptop allows for seamless transitions between school and homework. “There is no separation from school,” he said. “When I get home, I can pull out the same laptop and keep working.”

David Sevilla-Martin, a seventh-grader at Marshall Middle School, said the iPads used in the elementary and middle schools allow students to develop any presentation. “I am able to add images, text, slides and can record my voice so I can add my own knowledge to the slide,” he said.