The annual appointments of coaches for boys’ and girls’ winter sports were approved by the Board of Education Wednesday night.
Among other actions, the board awarded tenure to Bellamy Elementary School Principal Nancy Opperman, and approved a 3-year lease contract for about $95,000 for two new trucks for the school district maintenance department.
• Coaching appointments, and salaries, include:
BOYS’ WINTER SPORTS
Nick Medicis, Varsity Basketball, $4,825.
Rick Cooke, JV Basketball, $4,752.
Brian Scoones, 9th Grade Basketball, $3,255.
Evan Howard, Black (modified) Basketball, $3,255.
Rick Campbell, Orange (modified) Basketball, $3,255.
Jerry Tabolt, Varsity Wrestling, $5,995.
Matt Sobolowski, JV Wrestling, $3,582.
Ty Knamm, Junior High Wrestling, $4,295.
Michele Moore, Varsity Swimming, $5,345.
Rick Prosser, Varsity Diving, $4,622.
Sal Carollo, 7th & 8th Grade Swimming, $2,725.
Greg Cuthbertson, Varsity Hockey, $5,345.
Peter Mastracco, Assistant, Varsity Hockey, $4,752.
Billie Mays, Indoor Track, $5,865.
Dave Nimmo, Bowling, $3,644.
GIRLS’ WINTER SPORTS
Rich Bird, Bowling, $3,387.
Alissa Tuthill, JV Basketball, $4,232.
Jon Baldwin, 9th Grade Basketball, $4,298.
Al Bevilacqua, Orange (modified) Basketball, $3,387.
Christina Steurrys, Black (modified) Basketball, $3,114.
Brett Couchman, Indoor Track, $5,995.
Erin Murphy, Orange (modified) Volleyball, $4,165.
Mike Bartlett, Black (modified) Volleyball, $3,387.
Laura Hunzinker, Varsity Cheerleading, $2,509.
For girls’ varsity basketball, Julie Diehl was appointed head coach in August.
• The awarding of tenure to Opperman will take effect Jan. 14, 2010. She was appointed Bellamy principal on a regular basis in January 2007, after being named interim principal at the start of the 2006-07 year.
Tenure, typically considered after a probationary period of three years, guarantees due process in the event that a person faces dismissmal charges and also is considered in future assignments.
Superintendent Jeffrey P. Simons noted that Opperman had a challenging probationary period but has "risen to the occasion every year." Among developments, the Bellamy building was temporarily closed in both the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years because of structural concerns and renovations, with students relocated to the former Fort Stanwix Elementary School building. In addition, school consolidations significantly increased the Bellamy student enrollment for 2009-10.
Opperman has handled the complications with grace and patience, said Simons, adding "I can’t think of anybody else more deserving of tenure."
• The lease agreement with Carbone Ford Lincoln Mercury of Rome is for two mini dump trucks whose uses can include helping with snow control in district parking lots and roadways. They will replace two 1995 vehicles that Simons said will not pass inspection without major repairs.
The agreement calls for an annual payment of $15,979 for each of the two new trucks for three years. After three years, the district can purchase the vehicles for $1.
The district will periodically update its maintenance vehicle condition and replacement schedule and "see what we can afford to replace," Simons commented. Of the 24-vehicle fleet, board member Frank Anderson pointed out that at least 10 are from prior to 2000.
