'sin' Of Youth

Allstate Foundation Donates To Junior Achievement

JANINE UNGVARSKY Times Leader Correspondent
 Thursday, February 10, 2005 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 5A 





Questions and concerns about Act 72, commonly known as the slots bill, was
a main topic of discussion during the Wyoming Valley West School Board work
session Wednesday night. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Board members discussed a recent presentation by a consultant hired to help
sort through the complicated legislation and expressed concerns about what the
bill could mean for taxpayers. Due to the convoluted requirements of the bill,
the directors noted the district could be required to raise taxes
significantly in order to get a small return in state funding. "What Act 72 is
proposing is a 300 percent increase in the earned income tax in Wyoming Valley
West," board member Barry Williams said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Logistically it's a nightmare. It's bad for the school board and it's bad
for the taxpayers," Lowery said. The board will gather additional information
from the legislature and will hold a public meeting on Act 72 in March. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 During the meeting after the work session, the board approved a five-year
deal with Pepsi to provide beverages for district vending machines. Pepsi will
supply, stock and maintain beverage machines in administration-approved sites
throughout the district and pay a 40 percent commission on sales. However, the
machines will stock no carbonated beverages. "Wyoming Valley West has been
soda-free since the beginning of this school year," Lowery said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The machines will stock sports drinks, water, juice and iced tea. The deal
doesn't affect concessions at sporting events, which can be contracted
separately. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In other business, the board accepted resignations from: Rita Groboski,
enabler; Jerry Long, security. Resignations due to retirement were accepted
from: Mollie Phillips, guidance counselor; Edward Burke and Mary Ann Wassel,
teachers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The following appointment was made: Stephen Michaels, custodian, no salary
listed. Coaches approved included: girls soccer, Chris Lacy, varsity coach,
$2,745; Maria Bustin, assistant, $1,535; Ralph Elias, volunteer; girls track
grades 10-12, Krisa Yurko, assistant, $2,206; boys track grades 10-12 Colin
Snyder, assistant, $2,206; junior high track, Ryan Evans and Mike Pevear,
assistant head coaches at $1,756 each; Mike Munzing and Andrea DeMaranville,
assistants $1,633 each; Ed Kopec Jr., volunteer; boys baseball, varsity,
Gerald Storz, $3,233; Tom Carlin, John Milius and Marty Gabel, assistants at
$,2,206 each; girls softball, Ted Fisher, varsity, $3,233; Kevin Fulton,
Andrew Barilla and an unfilled assistant position, $2,206 each; boys tennis,
Jim Zimmerman, varsity, $2,185; and Justin Udzella, volunteer. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Additions to the substitute list included: Erin Allardyce, Kristy Blizzard,
Brian Tkaczyk, Rebecca Waiter and Arianne Wheeler. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Act 72 Raises Concerns At Wvw Also, The School Board Approves A Five-year Deal With Pepsi To Provide Drinks.