KINGSTON — In a short special meeting on Friday, the Wyoming Valley West School Board decided to request a state Public School Facility Improvement Grant, a new initiative launched by Gov. Josh Shapiro last month and managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
DCED is receiving applications until March, April and May, with the highest grant amount set at $5 million. In total, Shapiro has set aside $100 million for this new program this year.
As announced in a media release in February, eligible projects for the program include, but are not limited to, “roof repairs and replacement; installation of HVAC equipment; installation of boilers; safety projects like lead and asbestos abatement; accessibility projects; and window repairs or replacement.”
Similar to most districts locally and statewide, Wyoming Valley West has been making significant renovations and upgrades using federal COVID-19 pandemic relief grants, but that money is running out. This new grant could enable WVW to continue addressing extensive upgrades that board members have said have been neglected for years, if not decades, without using local property tax revenue.
The Shapiro administration has also set aside $75 million for the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) School Environmental Repairs and Improvements Grant Program. According to the same February media release, this program “will focus on remediating and abating environmental hazards in schools and will be open to school districts, career and technical centers, and charter schools.” Applications for those grants will start on May 1.
During the meeting on Friday, the board also agreed to a 4-year contract for the new business manager Robert Kachurak, effective retroactively from March 4 through June 30, 2028. The initial salary is $110,000, with raises to be determined by the board based on annual evaluations.
In addition, the board:
• Raised ticket prices for football, basketball, and wrestling events to $5 for adults and $3 for children and seniors.
• Named Johnathan Evancho as a high school English teacher with a starting salary of $46,500.
• Appointed Steve Maas as a utility/stadium worker at $12.50 per hour.
• Appointed Chris Hogan as head custodian at Dana Street Elementary.
