B-W School Board Agrees to $26,000 Legal Settlement, and More from Wednesday's Meeting

$26,000 Legal Settlement Being Paid by B-W School District

The Baldwin-Whitehall School Board approved on Wednesday night, by a 7-1 vote, the payment of $26,000 from the to a family, which was not identified, and its attorney, to settle a legal dispute.

The related board agenda item is not viewable on the school district’s website, and neither board members nor district Superintendent Dr. Lawrence C. Korchnak revealed any particulars on Wednesday about the settlement.

Board member Kevin A. Stiffey abstained from voting and did not comment.

Before voting “yes” to approve the payment, board member Nancy Lee Crowder confirmed with district solicitor that she was not involved in a conflict of interest by voting.

Despite the strong opinion of Lawrence that the board should approve the settlement, board member Martin Michael Schmotzer voted “no.”

Schmotzer also accused Crowder of having a conflict of interest. 

The Baldwin-Whitehall Patch has requested more information from the district office. UPDATE: 

WPIAL Golf Champion Honored, to Receive Championship Ring

At the start of its meeting, the B-W School Board presented freshman Zack Taylor with a certificate of recognition for winning the 2011 WPIAL individual boys golf title. 

Taylor drew heavy applause from the meeting’s attendants. He shot a one-under-par 71 to win the title at in on Oct. 6.

Taylor is believed to be the only freshman in WPIAL history to win its individual golf championship.

Later in the meeting, the school board authorized the acceptance of a $300 championship ring to be donated to Taylor by Balfour of Pittsburgh.

The B-W Patch has a video interview scheduled with Taylor for Monday, Nov. 14. Check back that week for the video.

PSBA Honor for Board Member Kevin Fischer

B-W School Board member Kevin J. Fischer, who was , was also recognized on Wednesday for receiving a certificate of appreciation from the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA).

The PSBA’s certificate to Fischer reads, “ … in recognition of the unique role of school board service and the long-term contributions of individuals who bring their energy, talent and values to the guidance of youth and public education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

Project 7, a New Student Activity, Added at Baldwin High

The B-W School Board approved the addition of a new student activity at Baldwin High by a 9-0 vote.

The activity, known as Project 7, is a student group aimed at volunteer and humanitarian efforts. , a health/physical education teacher at Baldwin, has volunteered to sponsor that group.

Visit www.project7.com for more information.

Severe Weather Procedure

Toward the end of the meeting, Korchnak advised the public that the district’s procedure for alerting residents of school delays and cancellations for the 2011-12 school year will remain the same as it was for 2010-11.

Read here for details.

George Pry to Step Down as Board President Soon

Due to recently accepting a position as Chair of Carlow University’s Board of Trustees, B-W School Board President George L. Pry informed fellow B-W board members and the public on Wednesday that he will not be seeking another term as President of the B-W Board.

Pry will remain a B-W Board member, though.

 ---

Follow the Baldwin-Whitehall Patch on Facebook and Twitter.