McGuffey School Board approves hires, organizational chart and Act 1 tax‑cap resolution
December 06, 2024 | McGuffey SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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The McGuffey School District Board of Directors approved a slate of routine administrative and personnel actions at its Dec. 5 meeting, including new hires, acceptance of resignations, adoption of an updated organizational chart and an Act 1 tax‑index resolution.
Board members approved hiring Connor Ridge as a social‑studies teacher (master step 1, prorated), pending routine clearances and medical exams. The chair introduced Ridge to the board, and Ridge told members he is "looking forward to joining you guys in the new year." The board also approved other personnel moves: acceptance of the resignation of assistant principal Timothy Joyce (effective within 60 days), acceptance of two food‑service resignations, the retirement of Tracy Hartsell effective July 11, 2025, and hiring of Deborah Montgomery (custodian), Megan Shingle and Patrice Crutt (food service) and Micheline Cass (day‑to‑day emergency substitute). One member abstained from the Shingle vote because she is related to the candidate; the motions otherwise carried.
Administratively, the board approved a revised McGuffey School District organizational chart (the chair noted the chart's last formal adoption was in 2019). Dr. Oberg said the administration will provide the board with a chart that maps current positions to incumbents and will post the chart under the administration tab on the district website to improve public access.
On instructional materials, the board authorized disposal of a list of books from the high‑school and middle‑school libraries under district policy 706.1 (disposal of obsolete/outdated materials). Maureen McAnellan, the district's middle‑school ELA teacher and reading chair, said the review criteria include the last checkout date and whether a title is used for accelerated‑reader lists; removed titles will be available in the middle‑school annex library where appropriate.
Financial and procedural actions included approval of general‑fund bills totaling $225,511.31 (checks #80087–80160) and approval of the GOB Series 2021 build list payment (check #21058 for $185,533). The board authorized administration to pay December 2024 invoices that may come due before the January meeting and approved a payment of $2,250 to law firm Andrews & Price for an invoice dated Nov. 21, 2024.
The board adopted an Act 1 resolution "not to exceed 5%," a procedural step that expresses the district will not request an increase above the state tax index cap of 5 percent. Members clarified that adopting the Act 1 resolution does not obligate the board to raise taxes to that cap; it only sets the maximum the district might seek in the state process.
Other approvals: Kids of Steel as a Claysville Elementary activity (2024–25) at no district cost; a district‑wide fundraiser (selling disability‑awareness socks Jan. 13–24, 2025) with proceeds to the Washington County Special Olympics; FFA chaperones for the Pennsylvania Farm Show Jan. 6, 2025 (substitute pay discussed, cited roughly $500); and winter‑guard instructors for 2024–25. The board disclosed prior executive sessions for personnel and litigation and announced that some items will return for follow‑up in committee or subsequent meetings.
The meeting ended after miscellaneous reports (facilities, cafeteria, P‑card spending) and public comment; the board adjourned by voice vote.
Board members approved hiring Connor Ridge as a social‑studies teacher (master step 1, prorated), pending routine clearances and medical exams. The chair introduced Ridge to the board, and Ridge told members he is "looking forward to joining you guys in the new year." The board also approved other personnel moves: acceptance of the resignation of assistant principal Timothy Joyce (effective within 60 days), acceptance of two food‑service resignations, the retirement of Tracy Hartsell effective July 11, 2025, and hiring of Deborah Montgomery (custodian), Megan Shingle and Patrice Crutt (food service) and Micheline Cass (day‑to‑day emergency substitute). One member abstained from the Shingle vote because she is related to the candidate; the motions otherwise carried.
Administratively, the board approved a revised McGuffey School District organizational chart (the chair noted the chart's last formal adoption was in 2019). Dr. Oberg said the administration will provide the board with a chart that maps current positions to incumbents and will post the chart under the administration tab on the district website to improve public access.
On instructional materials, the board authorized disposal of a list of books from the high‑school and middle‑school libraries under district policy 706.1 (disposal of obsolete/outdated materials). Maureen McAnellan, the district's middle‑school ELA teacher and reading chair, said the review criteria include the last checkout date and whether a title is used for accelerated‑reader lists; removed titles will be available in the middle‑school annex library where appropriate.
Financial and procedural actions included approval of general‑fund bills totaling $225,511.31 (checks #80087–80160) and approval of the GOB Series 2021 build list payment (check #21058 for $185,533). The board authorized administration to pay December 2024 invoices that may come due before the January meeting and approved a payment of $2,250 to law firm Andrews & Price for an invoice dated Nov. 21, 2024.
The board adopted an Act 1 resolution "not to exceed 5%," a procedural step that expresses the district will not request an increase above the state tax index cap of 5 percent. Members clarified that adopting the Act 1 resolution does not obligate the board to raise taxes to that cap; it only sets the maximum the district might seek in the state process.
Other approvals: Kids of Steel as a Claysville Elementary activity (2024–25) at no district cost; a district‑wide fundraiser (selling disability‑awareness socks Jan. 13–24, 2025) with proceeds to the Washington County Special Olympics; FFA chaperones for the Pennsylvania Farm Show Jan. 6, 2025 (substitute pay discussed, cited roughly $500); and winter‑guard instructors for 2024–25. The board disclosed prior executive sessions for personnel and litigation and announced that some items will return for follow‑up in committee or subsequent meetings.
The meeting ended after miscellaneous reports (facilities, cafeteria, P‑card spending) and public comment; the board adjourned by voice vote.
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