Board secretary may be added to district’s payroll

The Chartiers Valley school board is considering adding a board secretary as a paid position, but not all board members think that’s a good idea.

The district’s finance director, Nick Morelli, had served as board secretary until he retired last month. Mr. Morelli’s position is currently not filled, and no money has been allotted for it in the 2017-18 budget.

A separate board secretary position isn’t funded in the budget, either, and the board does not have an estimated cost for the post.

In a number of local school districts, the board secretary is not a separate position, with the duties of the job carried out by either a finance director, another administrator or an administrative assistant. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association states that a board secretary’s tasks are essentially determined by the board.

Board member Eric Kraemer said Tuesday that he believes the board needs “someone not in the administration” as board secretary to be “on our side.”

But board member Jeff Choura said he was concerned about adding a paid position, noting that the administration “went out of the box” not to increase taxes in 2017-18. He said he called several school districts and “none of them have a paid board secretary.”

Board member Mark Kuczinksi also questioned the cost.

“Our budget did not include that cost, and we’re still without a finance manager,” he said. “I feel we are almost adding a layer of bureaucracy.”

He said the board should be focusing on the district’s other needs like vans and buses that need to be replaced. “We say ‘ students first’ but we’re looking to bring on someone to serve nine people,” he said.

Mr. Kraemer responded, “If we make these nine people more productive, that serves everyone.”

The board agreed to discuss the matter further at its Aug. 8 workshop meeting.

Board Vice President Alka Patel and board member Julie Murphy have been charged with coming up with a job description for the post. Ms. Patel said the post would likely be part time, and she would like the secretary help the board with communication with the public.

Superintendent Brian White said the board should consult with the district solicitor to see whether the position would be part of a collective bargaining agreement.

In another matter, Mr. White told the board that two teachers may have to be added at the primary school for 2017-18 due to increased enrollment. He said 289 students are currently registered for kindergarten across 14 classes, and a 15th class may be needed because the district generally keeps its kindergarten classes at fewer than 20 students. In second grade, 276 students are registered across 12 sections, so another section may be needed to keep class sizes small, he said.

He said the school has adequate classroom space for the additional sections.