Superintendent’s raise, bonus draw criticism

Bethel Park superintendent Joseph Pasquerilla is getting a raise and a $10,000 one-time, performancebased bonus, a move that someresidents criticized because it comes at a time when the district is cutting teaching jobs and a school nurse position.

The school board on Tuesday voted unanimously to increase Mr. Pasquerilla’s annual salary from $152,000 to $162,500 and to award him the $10,000 one-time bonus.

Also at the meeting, the board voted to cut four high school teaching positions, four elementary teaching positions and one nurse position. “It seems like a very inappropriate time to be awarding bonuses to anyone,” resident Amy Allkind said during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Resident Sharon Janosik concurred, noting that paraprofessionals have been cut as well. She said it was unfair that Mr. Pasquerilla will receive a raise of more than 6 percent at the same time the district is asking its paraprofessionals to work part time with no benefits.

“It just rubs me the wrong way,” she said.

Board president Donna Cook said that Mr. Pasquerilla, who was hired in January 2016, was up for review after one year of service, and the nine-member board ranked him as either “fully meeting” or “exceeding” all expectations.

“We have, in the past, given administrators performance bonuses based on exceeding expectations,” Ms. Cook said. She added that funds were in the budget for the bonus and the raise because Mr. Pasquerilla started at a lower salary than previous superintendent Nancy Aloi Rose.

Board member David Amaditz said that during his time on the board he has “never worked with a superintendent so dedicated to his job,” adding that Mr. Pasquerilla comes in early and doesn’t leave until 10 or 11 p.m. and regularly attends district functions. Mr. principal,” she said. Amaditz said he would not The district is currently want to lose Mr. Pasquerilla accepting applications for as superintendent. the associate principal position.

When Mr. Pasquerilla The high school dean was hired in January 2016, of students and attendance he was given a five-year officers will assume some of contract at a salary of the duties of assistant principal, $152,000 per year. His new Mr. Pasquerilla said. salary of $162,500 is retroactive High school assistant to April 18 and will run principal Sheryl Graff was through April 17, 2018. He moved to assistant principal will receive the $10,000 onetime at Neil Armstrong Middle bonus this year. School, effective July 1.

The board also voted to High school assistant principal eliminate two assistant Jason Shoaf resigned principal positions at the last month and will be a high school and instead principal in the Montour have one associate principal School District. High school at the school. Board English teacher John member Pamela Dobos Lorenzi was moved to Independence voted against theIndependence Middle School, change. “I’m just not in favor where he will serve as guidance of eliminating another counselor in 2017-18.