Moon School Board President Offers Apology to Resident

president Sandra McCurdy apologized to a resident for public comments made earlier this year by Superintendent Donna Milanovich, although McCurdy's move drew criticism from a fellow board member.

“We always expect professional behavior,” McCurdy said. “At the last meeting, there were some activities that probably were unacceptable.”

McCurdy said she extended a public apology to Crescent resident Brian Morrow on behalf of the district for comments Milanovich made at the board's meeting Jan. 24.

Milanovich told Morrow in January that to comments he has made at meetings regarding the district's academic progress and spending. She said he has not portrayed the district accurately in his comments.

“That is really not something that we do,” McCurdy said. “I want to publicly apologize to Mr. Morrow.”

Morrow, who has voiced his opinion during the public-comment portion of most recent school board meetings, said he believes Moon Area's academic progress is stagnating while its spending grows. On Monday night, he distributed a 37-page packet to board members and district administration in which he outlined his views on public education spending and Moon's academic standings. 

Morrow often has been critical of six school board directors who  in November. At Monday's meeting, he said the district should use “income tax as a barometer” during its budgeting process. He has expressed support for board members elected in November’s race.

School board member Jerry Testa said he “did not stand behind” McCurdy’s apology.

“I do not believe Dr. Milanovich’s actions were unprofessional at all,” Testa said. “She rose to the defense of the educational system. There has been a lot of misinformation out there.

“I apologize to you, Dr. Milanovich, for having to sit through that,” he said.

Milanovich did not comment on the apology during the meeting.

Board members address budgeting process

The board took no action on the district’s 2012-2013 academic budget.

School board member Jeffrey Bussard said, “frankly, everything is on the table” for potential budget cuts.

McCurdy said at the meeting that the district hopes to save money by reviewing elective courses and examining its share of funding to the Moon Transportation Authority rather than eliminate programs.

In January, board members a preliminary budget that called for a .67 mill tax increase.

The board approved the district’s 2012-2013 program of studies at the meeting, although Milanovich said two new courses planned for the academic year may be cut if necessary to accomodate the new budget.

Milanovich also said district officials hope to expand on distance-learning programs. The district spends $1 million each year on students who attend area charter schools. Distance-learning programs, she said, might help combat that loss of funding.  

“There’s a certain kind of student who likes a certain kind of school environment, and we can capture that (with distance learning programs),” she said.

“The idea is to keep the dollars here and save money,” she said. 

Other items of interest: 

• The board approved the district's 2012-2013 academic calendar. Under the calendar, students will begin class Sept. 5 and end the year on June 11. Commencement is scheduled for June 14. Milanovich said the academic year will begin after Labor Day to give the district "as much time as possible so we have staff organized and ready to teach in the new middle school." The renovated middle school is slated to at the beginning of the school year. 

• The board authorized an extended agreement with the Western Pennsylvania Electricity Consortium Extension to buy electricity from Duquesne Light, provided its prices are at or below the price now paid by the district. The agreement extends 12 to 18 months after the district's final meter read date in 2014 under its current agreement. 

• The board tabled a motion to award furniture contracts through the state for the district's middle school. 

• The board authorized district administration to solicit bids for technical education equipment and window treatments for the renovated middle school. 

• Board President Sandra McCurdy said she will now give a quarterly "president's report" at board meetings to highlight board and district accomplishments. 

• The board authorized the administration to solicit bids for a boiler replacement at Brooks Elementary and seating and deck painting at Tigers Stadium. 

• The board approved a series of student trips, including a debate club tournament at Susquehanna University, a dance team invitational in Zanesville, OH and a varsity baseball trip to Florida.