The Sto-Rox School Board on Thursday said hello to several new teachers and staff members and good-bye to one school board member and one longtime teacher. The board also secured a key donation and an agreement for a new security firm to watch over the district’s three schools. Click here for the complete agenda, and read on for more information.
New Hires
The district celebrated several new hires on Thursday evening. Among them were:
Alexandra Limenos, Assistant Band Director
Amanda Rahr, Substitute Teacher
Jason Blackman, Paraprofessional (Upper Elementary)
Stephen Thompkins, Paraprofessional (Jr./Sr. High School)
Lauren Ferragonio, ESY Teacher
Allison Hoff, 4th Grade Teacher
Brendan McNeely, Computer Technician
The job candidates who spoke at the meeting reflected all sorts of backgrounds. Both Rahr and Hoff are women who decided to change careers and go into education. Blackman and Thompkins are examples of the district’s effort to hire paraprofessionals, people who support teachers in the classroom. It’s a critical role that both Blackman - a father who formerly worked in Pittsburgh public schools - and Thompkins - also a father who has a degree in social work from Slippery Rock University - are glad to fill. Another notable addition is Lauren Ferragonio, a district security guard and Girls Flag Football Coach who was hired as a ESY (Extended School Year) Teacher. Said Ferragonio, “I’m happy to have the opportunity to teach our kids,” as she adds to her other roles.
From The Athletic Department
Two familiar faces in Sto-Rox will make up the coaching staff for the Girls Varsity Basketball Team. Tyra Grant, Executive Director of Steel City Impact, will become the head coach. Erica Taylor, the district’s Central Registrar and School Counselor Secretary, will be an assistant coach. Taylor was recently hired as an assistant coach of the newly re-formed Girls Varsity Softball team.
Photo Courtesy: Signal
New Security Team
The board unanimously selected Signal of Central Pittsburgh, a locally-owned branch of Nebraska-based Signal, as its security firm. Owner Greg Pencosky and Market Sales Coordinator Ben Hartman appeared before the school board to follow up on their proposal to the district. Signal representatives promised well-trained, locally-based security professionals who will connect with students.
“We have GPS tracking on all officers on their phones,” explained Hartman. “And with that, they also have the ability to take pictures and do reports that will be shared with all the faculty so they can review it and know what’s going on in the schools at all times.”
Hartman also said their security officers will have training for active shooter situations, bomb threats, children with special needs, AED’s (automated external defibrillators) and verbal de-escalation.
Signal will also offer the district the use of a security patrol vehicle that will help the company’s visibility.
“Football games, proms, school dances, anything where you want extended presence on the property. It’s a bright blue vehicle with flashing lights that way everyone can see it,” said Hartman, “and it creates much more of a presence.”
Signal will also offer a $500 scholarship to a student selected by the faculty. The student must pursue a career in criminal justice, law enforcement or the military.
Girl Scout Donation
Junior Girl Scout Troop 46879 has secured donations of recess equipment worth an estimated $1,000. It’s part of the scouts’ Bronze Award Project. The goal: To help promote positive play for Upper Elementary students. The scouts will do this by creating bins of recess equipment, activity guides, and game directions for 4-Square, Wiffle Ball, jump rope, Air Scoop Ball, kickball and the basketball game known as ‘PIG.’ Additionally, the troop will build a Gaga Ball pit. Gaga Ball, according to the troop, is a fast-paced, dodgeball-style game played in a hexagonal or octagonal court.
Urgent Items
• Boiler: The district will move forward with TEN (The Efficiency Network) to replace the Upper Elementary boiler. It’s happening ahead of schedule. While the district has a five-year facilities and technology improvement plan, the boiler couldn’t wait. It failed its state inspection. As both a TEN representative and Superintendent Megan Van Fossan explained, it’s better to tackle this kind of project proactively, instead of an emergency that will cost the district even more money. Plus, the lead time for equipment in a boiler replacement is generally six to eight weeks, putting its arrival in mid-September instead of during the cooler fall and winter months when heating will be critical.
• Cyber Security: The district accepted $387,980 in Pennsylvania Department of Education funding to support “critical upgrades of technology infrastructure.” As Van Fossan explained, both she and Dr. Patrick O’Toole, the district’s chief recovery officer, asked for the funding from the state. The need was evident, especially for state officials.
“It would help that we would be in (virtual) meetings with them and the internet would freeze, or we would get kicked off,” she explained. “We had lots of data that said we needed the infrastructure.”
Cyber security was also an issue that CCI, the district’s vendor, will improve upon. The district will move forward with this funding with an eye on more improvements, including security cameras.
Support Services
The district ratified a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Infinite Lifestyle Solutions, Inc. (ILS) to provide support services including restorative circles, mindfulness, therapeutic art and yoga practice.
“We made a push to have lots of different support services,” said Van Fossan. “These are additional services at no cost to the district.” Grant money will allow ILS to come into the district and help students with different types of therapies aimed at helping students heal.
“We’re not pushing this on any kid; these are all options for students,” said Van Fossan, referencing a wide array of services offered during and after the school day. “But we will make referrals and have conversations with the student and their family.”
Departures
• Board Vacancy: Samantha Levitzki-Wright stepped down from the board, in spite of protests from several fellow board members who did not wish to see her go. This leaves the board with seven members. Click here to learn more about how the position can be filled.
• Longtime Teacher Retires: Sherine Raymond, a Sto-Rox student and teacher for nearly 50 years, has called time on her career. “How many years, Heather?” Van Fossan asked K-6 Principal Heather Johnston about Raymond’s service, who answered, “when I was in second grade–” and the room burst into laughter. “So a long, long time.” The answer, by the way, was 41 years. We wish Sherine a happy and healthy retirement!
Next Meetings
There will be two meetings in August: an agenda review meeting on the 10th and a legislative voting meeting on the 17th (both Thursdays). Both meetings will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria, unless otherwise noted.
LINK: August 10th School Board Meeting
LINK: August 17th School Board Meeting