By:
DENA REEDY Record Express Staff
, Staff Writer
Gail Witwerâ??s second grade class is (first row, left to right) Andrew Lockman, Abigayle Amaturo, Emma Shupp, Tyler Hambright, and Miles Mondo; (second,l-r) Cassidy Byers, Karly Galbreath, McKenzie Snyder, Santi Saavedra, Ebian Rivera, Cameron Nye; (third, l-r) Dennis Gitke, Noah Frymyer, Carter Sauder, Araya Shiffler, Dylan Reich, Katie Houck and Ryan Hershey. Missing from the photo is Hannah Kierkowski. (Photo by Alice Hummer)
Warwick School Board welcomed a new high school principal at Tuesday’s meeting.
Ryan J. Axe replaces Troy Price, who resigned in August, and Dave Davies, who has been serving as interim principal until a replacement could be found.
"I am thrilled with the opportunity to be part of the Warwick team," Axe said, "and really excited to get started."
Axe said everything he has heard about Warwick has been positive, and "our family feels blessed."
He comes from the Hempfield School District where he served as its grade nine principal for the past five years. Prior to that, he was a secondary English teacher with the Cocalico School District for 13 years. He received his bachelor of science degree in secondary English from Shippensburg University, his master’s of science in education from Walden University, and his principal certification from Alvernia. He is currently enrolled in a doctoral program for educational leadership and administration at Immaculata University. He resides with his wife, Jen, and their three children, Konnor, Brynn and Caden, in Landisville.
The school board also said good-bye to several long-time employees.
The board accepted, with regret, the resignation of beloved math teacher Richard Pillion, effective at the end of the first semester of the 2013-14 school year.
"Believe it or not, I had Mr. Pillion as a teacher many, many years ago," said board member Michael Landis. "He was a very good teacher. He is one of those teachers that you remember clearly."
Landis said there are a couple of things you remember about him: "That the perfect number is two, and that you always celebrated National Pi Day, which is March 14.
"It’s sad to see another long-time Warwick employee go," Landis said. "I wish Mr. Pillion best wishes as he goes into retirement, and I ask that he gets rid of his grade books."
New board member Benedict Sahd, who was officially sworn in Tuesday night, said his son Philip had Mr. Pillion as a teacher.
"I think he was by far and away the inspiration in how my son performed in school, how my son performed outside of school and how he is performing now," he said. "He is now a nuclear engineer at a power plant in New Jersey. He (Mr. Pillion) is a scholar. He had tremendous influence, not only on my son."
He consistently did an outstanding job throughout this school district, Sahd continued, saying he thinks Pillion should also pass on the huge pencil that he keeps in his closet.
"We are sad to see him go," board president Dr. Timothy Quinn said. "He will be missed."
The board also accepted the resignation of Elaine Mathias as assistant to the business manager at Warwick School District, effective Oct. 28.
Board secretary Dave Zerbe said he wanted to thank Mathias for her 22 years of service to the district and wish her well in her new move to Manheim Central.
Mathias said she wanted to sincerely thank the school district for the past 22 years.
"It’s been a great experience for me," she said. "I especially want to thank Dave Zerbe for being a great mentor and friend. And for all the friendships I’ve made. I came here 22 years ago with computer skills and accounting skills, but I leave Oct. 28 with an invaluable wealth of knowledge that will empower me to take my career to the next level. And for this I am truly grateful."
"Warwick School District is a top notch school district," she said.
The board also accepted the resignation of assistant high school principal Zachary Fletcher, effective upon release from the district. There was no comment by the board.
The resignation of Nancy Hertzog as a junior high head cheerleading coach, effective Oct. 3, was also accepted. There was no comment by the board.
Hertzog is charged with reckless endangerment and furnishing alcohol to minors after allegedly hosting a party at her home, according to a previously published article. Two of the juveniles at the party were taken to a hospital for alcohol overdoses, and an 18-year-old Manheim man attacked a Lititz police officer at the scene. Hertzog, 40, reportedly supplied the alcohol and permitted the kids to drink inside her home.
In other school board news, the board approved a number of personnel related motions.
The board approved the following resignations: Ann Behling as a secretary at Warwick High School, effective Sept. 27; Susan Kirk as a food and nutrition services assistant at Warwick High School, effective Oct. 11; Ann Behling as Senior Class advisor at Warwick High School, effective Sept. 27; Joanna Lynch as Sophomore Class advisor (50%) at Warwick High School, effective Sept. 17; Melodie Fair as elementary drama director at Kissel Hill Elementary School, effective Sept. 4; Carol Schofield as special needs assistant at Warwick High School, effective Oct. 9.
The board approved hiring Lauren Sangrey as a mathematics teacher at Warwick High School, at the annual salary of $45,391. Sangrey is replacing Rob Fisher, who retired.
Several non-instructional appointments were made. Kristin Testerman was hired as a WarwickWARE Specialist, eight hours per day at the annual salary of $65,000, effective Oct. 16. This is a new position funded by the WarwickWARE project. Tina DiLuzio was hired as a food and nutrition services assistant at the high school, three hours per day, at the hourly rate of $9.25, effective Oct. 16. DiLuzio is filling a portion of Susan Kirk’s hours, who resigned. Angela Martin was hired as a food and nutrition services assistant at the high school, four hours per day, at the hourly rate of $9.05, effective Oct. 16. Martin is filling a portion of Susan Kirk’s hours. Kathy Royer was hired as a building services employee at Kissel Hill Elementary School and Warwick Middle School, eight hours per day, at the hourly rate of $10.50, effective Oct. 16. Royer is being hired to replace Crista Kimble and Linda Owens due to a change of status.
Several extra-duty/extra curricular positions were approved. Jennifer Eberly was hired as concession stand worker at Warwick High School, at the approved 2013-14 rate, effective Sept. 27; Cheryl Gingrich was hired as elementary drama director at John Beck Elementary School, at the annual salary of $1,337, effective at the start of the 2013-14 school year. Gingrich is replacing Rebecca Heller, who resigned. Jamie Weiler was hired as Senior Class advisor, at the annual salary of $1,013, effective at the start of the 2013-14 school year. Weiler is replacing Ann Behling.
The board also approved election of the following individuals as substitutes, effective Oct. 16, 2013: Lydia Burk, Kathleen Ciccarone, Melinda Elmer and Stephanie Hallett.
Kathrin Baltz was approved as a substitute nurse, effective Oct. 16.
The board also approved election of the following individuals as substitute support staff, effective Oct. 16, 2013: Carol Burkholder, Lauren Bitting-Ellis, Kathryn Grisbacher, Darrell Snyder and Marge Wallace.
The board approved election of the following individuals as guest teachers, effective, Oct. 16, 2013: Anne Chapman, Lindsey Chillot, Victor DePicciotto, Robert Galgon, Beverly Heller, Emma Madaras, Kirsten Miller, Mary Savage and Janice Southwick.
The board also approved election of the following individuals as independent volunteers, effective, Oct. 16, 2013: Lauren Bitting-Ellis, Anastasia Bottner, Jennifer Eberly, Andre Ellis, Kathryn Grisbacher, Christina Hagaman, Rebekah Jackson, Cherie Lenahan, Laurie Mumma, Leila Murphy, Michelle Nissly, Beth Ann Nolt, Donald Parsons, Cherylnn Tompkinson and Cindy Widders.
The following volunteer coaches were approved, effective Oct. 16: Pamela Snavely-Dickow, field hockey, middle school; Stacey Hetzel, cheerleading, middle school; and Marco Marinaro, football.
Several status changes and transfers were approved.
Dave Davies as interim principal at Warwick High School, at the rate of $400 per diem to interim principal at Warwick High School at the rate of $450 per diem, effective Oct. 16. The change in rate is due to time commitment associated with this role.
Jami Stacey was changed from a learning support assistant at Warwick High School, six hours per day, to a learning support assistant at Warwick High School, 6.5 hours per day, effective Sept. 4. The change of status is due to the student services schedule at the high school; Gayle Simmons was changed from a learning support assistant at Warwick High School, six hours per day, to a learning support assistant at Warwick High School, 6.5 hours per day, effective Sept. 4. The change of status is due to the student services schedule at the high school. Mary Lou Berkey was changed from a learning support assistant at the high school, six hours hours per day, to a learning support assistant for 6.5 hours per day, effective Sept. 4. The change of status is due to the student services schedule at the high school. Carol Hurst was changed from an office assistant at the district office, 20 hours per week, to an office assistant for 24 hours per week, effective Sept. 27. The change in status is to support the business office. Rebecca Wingert was changed from an office assistant at the district office at 20 hours per week to an office assistant for 24 hours per week, effective Sept. 27. The change of status is to support the business office. Jennifer Shreiner was changed from a recess monitor at John R. Bonfield Elementary School, five hours per day, to a recess monitor/classroom assistant at Bonfield for 3.5 hours per day/two hours per day, effective Oct. 16, 2013. The additional position is due to increased classroom size.
Also:
Sahd on board
Beloved math teacher retires
Cheerleading coach resigns
More SCHOOL BOARD, page A11