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D2 boys soccer: Dallas holds off Wyoming Valley West in 3A semifinals

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Our View: Call to investigate Pedri over remarks in book was absurd

<p>PLAINS TWP. &#8212; The Wilkes-Barre Area School Board made major moves toward the consolidation of three high school sports teams by approving two three-year agreements, one for varsity athletic wear and another for related equipment, branding and spirit teams.</p><p>It accepted the resignation of board member Dino Galella and gave those interested in replacing him 10 days from Wednesday to submit letters and resumes.</p><p>And it took another step in spending up to $137 million for a new consolidated high school, authorizing the issuing of bonds for $125 million.</p><p>The moves came during a regular board meeting held after a lengthy, state-mandated Act 34 hearing in which the district laid out its plans for a new consolidated high school and took extensive public comment on it. The two sessions combined stretched from 6 p.m. to nearly 10 p.m.</p><p>The contract for athletic wear includes apparel, equipment, footwear and head wear, and is with Under Armour. Board member Shawn Walker said Nike had also made an offer on the deal but had no local distributor in case of emergencies while Under Armour did.</p><p>The other agreement was with BSN Sports, BSN Sports Construction, Varsity Spirit, Herff Jones and VIP Branding as the &#8220;preferred provider of graduation products, rings, athletic and physical education supplies and equipment, yearbooks, team sports and spirit team uniforms, apparel and accessories, spirit team camps, competitions and facility branding products.&#8221;</p><p>Walker said the deal was made under an &#8220;umbrella agreement.&#8221; No costs were given, but Superintendent Brian Costello noted the district typically buys such stuff, particularly uniforms, in smaller quantities, usually for one team at a time. He said with the consolidation of teams and sports-related organizations among all three high schools, it made sense to look into doing it all at once, and that a hefty discount was offered for signing exclusive, three-year deals. That includes 40 percent off retail prices, an additional 15 percent off that, and free shipping.</p><p>At the end of the meeting, Solicitor Ray Wendolowski asked the board to approve a tax assessment agreement regarding Brookside Heights Apartments in Wilkes-Barre. The deal means $250,000 in back taxes and about $50,000 in additional taxes annually moving forward.</p><p>Galella was re-elected to the board in 2015 and his term runs to December of next year. By state law, the board gets first crack at replacing him by vote. If they fail to pick a replacement within 30 days of resignation, a Luzerne County judge can step in.</p><p>Wendolowski proposed the board give interested candidates 10 days to submit letters and resumes after the opening is advertised, which he said should happen on Wednesday.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Costello </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_TTL080818wba-mg_1-1-1-.jpg</photo0><caption0>Costello </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Mark Guydish</p><p>mguydish@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish</p></shirttailMeta></div>

WBA approves contract for new sport uniforms, borrows money for high school