NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. by: John Gerow (RVO) – In an unexpected turn of events, the Redbank Valley School Board voted 7 – 2 to enter into an “agreement of separation”with Superintendent Michael Drzewiecki, effective June 30. Dr. Chad Shaffer and newly appointed director Jason Barnett voted against entering the agreement. A search committee was appointed to begin seeking a replacement. In the meantime, High School Principle Amy Rupp will serve as acting superintendent.

The Drzewiecki vote capped a long evening that began with a work session and then went into an open, special meeting, interrupted by an hour-long Executive Session for legal and personnel issues. Deadlines for filling the seat left vacant by the resignation of Director Heath Copenhaver and the start of the upcoming fiscal year, made the long meeting necessary.

With a state-mandated deadline to fill the vacant seat looming, the Board considered two candidates who volunteered to serve on the School Board. Resident Jason Barnett, a Redbank Valley graduate, and CPA. offered a very strong resume with significant school business experience. Recently retired John Gerow, with a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication and Education, brought experience with business turn a rounds and stakeholder communications. After each candidate addressed the Board and answered a few questions, the Board voted 7 – 1 to appoint Jason Barnett, who was immediately sworn in and took his seat on the Board for the rest of the meeting.

The work session before the meeting was taken up with an explanation and update on the progress of the track renovation and continuing discussion of security issues. Directors Bill Reddinger and Don Nair reported on their visit to Armstrong County High School to observe the security that is in place there. Mr. Reddinger reported that they observed about a dozen buses unloading and that the flow of students through the portable metal detectors was impressive. He said that the students and staff that he spoke with were comfortable with the system and all reported that a good rapport had been developed between security people and the students. Director Nair agreed that the relationship between students and security staff seemed good and that security personal told him that they were confident that many students would report issues if they came up. Mr. Reddinger did say that the school staff was not comfortable with letting unknown persons into the building after the metal detectors and all are taken down for the day.

Don Monek, a security consultant from Easton, PA, addressed the meeting by phone, answering questions and offering suggestions for the district’s security. In the discussion, he stressed the need for the Board to realize that the security program will be dynamic and fluid as it develops over time. In the discussion following the phone conference, several Directors expressed their thought that if the District is going to hire security officers, all of the buildings need to be covered. Directors Adams, Nair, and Kopnitsky expressed their preference for using a specialize school security contractor rather than the borough police.

Mark and Glenn Yocca of US Film Crew in Pittsburgh addressed the Board with their window security system as an option for glass doors and highlights. The US Film system consists of high tech fabric that is pressure adhered to the glass. It is nearly invisible and gives the glass significantly greater strength against impact. Following this presentation, a motion was added to the special meeting agenda to rescind the purchase and installation of security screens, pending further information gathering on other available systems.

Ready for the new sub-base and surfaces.

Mr. Stephen Parks of Parks & Associates Architects in Hollidaysburg, PA spoke to the assembly and described the progress that has been made and some issues that have to be addressed before the project can be completed. When Mr. Parks addressed the Board in April, he warned that the subsurface of the track may need some work once the surface was milled off and the sub-base exposed. As it turns out, on inspection the sub base is not uniform in depth and load bearing ability. In order to protect the new polyurethane surface, Mr. Parks explained that the sub-base has to be repaired as well. This not unexpected addition, along with some unplanned draining, additional fill will bring the track renovation cost to $496,610. During the regular meeting, the Board voted 8 – 1 and 7 – 2 in favor of spending the additional money. Anne Kopnitsky voted against all three, while Darren Bain voted against 1 of the over runs.

Other votes:

The Board voted 6 – 3 to pursue a contract with Armstrong Security for security personnel. Mr. Reddinger, Bain and Barnett voted against.

Directors voted unanimously to rescind their directive to buy and install security screens.

Members voted unanimously to refuse a Grievance Petition that had been brought before them.

For more information, please see this week’s Leader – Vindicator newspaper.