There have been quite a few changes to the makeup of the administration at Pleasant Valley since superintendent David Piperato took over before the start of the 2017-18 school year. Last Thursday evening added two more substantial changes with the elimination of the position known as Director of Support Services.

The duties previously assigned to that title will now be performed under the new title, Director of Operations. The position is currently open.

The previous Director of Support Services, Joshua Krebs, had been on administrative leave since earlier this year and is currently awaiting trial on a number of wiretap and perjury charges related to incidents that took place while employed at the district. Krebs recently came to an agreement with the district resigning his position in exchange for a $14,500 buyout of his retirement.

The board also agreed to a change of title for the district’s Director of Special Education, which will now be known as Director of Pupil Services. A.J. Kise will continue in the position as Director of Pupil Services.

Both proposed changes narrowly passed. Directors Len Peeters, Donna Yozwiak, Laura Jecker and Delbert Zacharias all voted no to the changes.

Contract approved

The board also approved the Educational Support Professionals Association Collective Bargaining Agreement by a vote of 7-2. Directors Russell Gould and Robert Serfass voted against the agreement.

Gould explained his vote.

“I am just being consistent,” Gould said. “A 3.5 percent raise isn’t a lot and I do appreciate the workers, but I represent the taxpayers, and from what I see, taxes are going to keep going up.”

Other business

The district also approved the adoption of Project Lead the Way.

Project Lead the Way will add computer science and engineering curriculum to the high school beginning next school year. The program is expected to help students prepare for advanced educational opportunities in these areas of study by introducing it to the students at the high school level.

The district plans to add biomedical engineering during the 2020-21 school year.

The board also approved the advertising of the 2019-20 proposed preliminary budget. The proposed budget will be available for inspection at the district offices for at least 20 days before it is scheduled for adoption.

Director Ken Cocuzzo made a motion requesting approval for the district to obtain an appraisal of the old Polk Elementary School. According to Cocuzzo the district will have to determine whether it plans on keeping the building or selling it. Cocuzzo said that the building will need major roof repairs in the near future.

The district meeting schedule for 2019 was approved and a second meeting was added for both November and December of the coming year. In the past, July, November and December only had one meeting.