Principal Change at Whitehall, Girls Soccer Coaches Out, Apparel Deal Rejected and More

Principal Change at Whitehall

In keeping with soon-to-be-Superintendent of administration, the B-W School Board has moved Andrea Huffman from her position as the principal of to the position of director of curriculum for the entire district.

The board approved Huffman's move during a Wednesday night meeting just before promoting Jennifer Marsteller from Whitehall Elementary vice principal to overall principal.

The Huffman item passed, 8-0, with board member Diana Kazour being absent. Huffman will earn an annual salary of $92,501 in her new position, effective Thursday.

The Marsteller item passed, 6-2, with board members Nancy Sciulli DiNardo and Larry Pantuso dissenting. Marsteller will earn an annual salary of $86,000, effective Thursday.

Girls Soccer Coaches Out

Following a combined 21-29-3 overall record in her three years as the head coach of 's varsity girls soccer team, Liz Allemang's coaching job, as well as her staff's assistant positions, were declared open by the B-W School Board on Wednesday by an 8-0 vote.

The reason for Allemang's departure is not known.

In March, the board opened up the Baldwin High , as well.

Apparel Deal Rejected

After , the B-W School Board formally rejected on Wednesday night, by a 7-1 vote, a proposal made by Pel Industries, Inc., that would have allowed Pel Industries to sell merchandise bearing B-W School District logos. A portion of the revenue generated by the sales thereof would have been returned to the district.

Board member Kevin J. Fischer cast the only vote in support of the proposal.

Board Members Can Vote without Being at Meetings

The B-W School Board approved a policy change on Wednesday, by an 8-0 vote, that allows board members to participate in board meetings without actually being there.

Board members can now use "electronic communication" to participate, which includes discussion and voting.

The updated policy reads, "A board member may participate in a board meeting by electronic communication. Participation shall require that the board member be able to hear what is occurring at the board meeting and that persons present at the board meeting are able to hear the comments of the board member participating by electronic communication."

Nevertheless, district solicitor Ed Lawrence said, at least five board members must still be physically present at a meeting in order to constitute a quorum.

Guidelines Revision for Board Vacancies Approved

The school board also approved, by an 8-0 vote, revisions to its guidelines that suggest how vacant board seats should be filled.

The new guidelines in Baldwin-Whitehall now call for all candidates for vacant board seats to be interviewed publicly and to be subjected to a uniform set of interview questions.

Read more about those guidelines .

REMINDER: Special Budget Meeting

The B-W School Board will hold a public meeting at  on Wednesday, April 25, at 6 p.m. to discuss the district's 2012-13 budget and its five-year capital improvement plan.

Transportation Employee's Status Upgraded

Following a two-minute executive session that was requested by board member Nancy Lee Crowder, the school board removed, by an 8-0 vote, the probationary tag on employee David Tompkins' status.

Tompkins is the district's assistant Transportation manager for safety coordination and customer service.

Student Awards

The B-W School Board recognized a number of district students on Wednesday for their recent accomplishments.

- Honored for being technology volunteers at the  were Luke Dowker, Steven Hershberger and Daniel McTiernan.

- Honored for receiving a full scholarship from the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh for a France summer travel program was Jacob Gruber.

- Honored for their performance at a Carnegie Mellon University Charles Drew Science Fair were:

• Stephanie Bott - First Place - Biology
• Victoria Schmotzer - First Place - Biology
• Katherine Schmotzer - Second Place - Physics

- Honored for winning an  regional competition was Diwas Timsina.

Baldwin High School Will Get Disposable Hall Passes

Read .

Dr. Lutz Defends Baldwin-Whitehall in Face of Local School Rankings

Read .

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