Bus driver contract signed

The Peters school board has made a series of personnel and construction decisions designed to ready the district for the new school year.

The board Monday unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement with the clerical unit and bus drivers, who are represented by the Peters Township Federation of Teachers, for a new four-year contract, effective July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2018.

The union represents about 40 or so nonteachers, such as paraprofessionals and teaching aides. They will receive an average of 2 percent raises each year and must contribute more to health care costs.

The board also hiked the salaries of confidential secretaries, a payroll specialist and other employees by about 2 percent.

They inked a new three-year contract with director of instructional technology Adam Swin chock, which comes with an $8,000 raise, bringing his annual salary to about $80,000.

The board accepted the resignation of high school librarian Lindsey Myers and hired several new special education and language teachers. Also hired was Karly Kunkle as the new librarian at Bower Hill Elementary School.

The board tabled action on 3

percent raises for ticket takers and crowd control workers for athletic events after board members questioned why rates varied for different sports.

Some also balked at the annual raises.

“None of our bargaining units that we approved tonight got a 3 percent increase,” said board member Jamison Hardy, who said it was a “no brainer” that workers should be paid the same, no matter what sport they are covering. Superintendent Jeannine French said payroll for the workers comes from revenue generated by each event, not the general fund.

The board is expected to take up the issue in August.

The board heard an update from buildings and grounds director Ron Gault, who said the $6 million renovation of McMurray Elementary School was on schedule despite the rainy weather. Photos of the ongoing project will be available at the district website: www.ptsd.k12.pa.us

Board members also approved a contract with Baiano Construction Inc. of Pittsburgh for concrete and masonry projects districtwide at a cost of $106,948. They also awarded a $12,446 contract to Wenger Corp. of Minnesota for new stage risers in the high school.