Lenape Vo-Tech Approves New Teachers Contract

Lenape Vo-Tech Joint Operating Committee members approved a new six-year agreement with the school's 37 teachers last night during their monthly meeting.

by Jonathan Weaver

The Lenape Vo-Tech Joint Operating Committee approved a new contract with their teachers last night.

After a nine month ordeal, committee members unanimously approved a six-year contract with its 37 teachers.

Solicitor Lee Price read the official approval.

“It reads as follows: Approval of the agreement between Lenape Technical School and the Lenape Vocational Technical Education Association for a six-year term commencing in July 1, 2011 and running through June 30, 2017,” Price read.

The average teacher increase per year is $2,094.

Administrative Director Dawn Kocher-Taylor called the contract ‘fair.’ She said Committee Chairperson Meredith Christy of the Freeport School District acted as chief negotiator before the teachers union.

“We worked hard to make this fair for both sides,” Kocher-Taylor said.

Kocher-Taylor added that teachers accepted concessions in health care that allowed the contract to be mutually accepted upon the first read.

Vice-President of the Association Eric Longwell, who is a physics/chemistry teacher at the school, thanked board members for their compliance.

“I spent some time on the negotiating team and appreciate the fact that we could finally come to an agreement that we could all live with, and on behalf of the Association, I offer you my thanks for your consideration and careful thought,” Longwell said.

Teachers are also able to purchase computers through a purchase agreement this month.

Kocher-Taylor said the agreement would be different than previous years.

“This year, I’m proposing we limit it to the purchase of an iPad, which would be signed and paid for through payroll deduction – the reason is we are encouraging the use of any personal mobile device for educational purposes in our classrooms,” Kocher-Taylor said. “I feel that if our teachers are asking for assistance in purchasing personal devices, such as the iPad, it’ll only benefit our students because they will be more prone to using it in the classroom.”

The program gives teachers the ability to purchase the device, which is approximately $729 before tax, without interest during the next 24 months.

Teachers will be distributed agreements pertaining to the agreement.

Administrative Director Dawn Kocher-Taylor announced the recommendation of Apollo-Ridge Middle School Technical Education Teacher James Purtell to be hired as the Dean of Students/Program Development Specialist effective upon release from his current position. The motion was approved. Purtell was recommended after Joseph Fullerton resigned from the position October 1.

Apollo-Ridge Middle School Technical Education Teacher James Purtell was approved to be hired as the Dean of Students/Program Development Specialist effective upon release from his current position. His yearly salary will become $67,500 and will be pro-rated through the remainder of the 2011-12 school year.

Purtell replaces Joseph Fullerton, who resigned from his post October 1 to become Director of Curriculum at the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center.

Official hiring is contingent on the Act 34, 151, 24 and Federal Bureau of Investigation clearances.

Committee members amended their policy regarding controlled substances to better suit the four participating school districts.

Kocher-Taylor also commended students and instructors after a recent survey showed that 92 percent of the Class of 2009 successfully went on to higher education.

Last night was the last meeting for Dr. James Solak of Armstrong School District, Terri Smith of the Leechburg Area School District and Christy after they did not win re-election in their respective districts following the November General Election.

Vice President Terry Knepshield conducted the meeting after Christy was absent from the meeting for personal reasons.

The Joint Operating Committee will reorganize during the December 15^th meeting at the school, held at 7PM.

Tech School Administrator Resigns

Lenape Vo-Tech Dean of Students Joseph Fullerton (shown here addressing the Joint Operating Committee on September 15, 2011) will resign effective tomorrow from his post to become Director of Curriculum at the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center.

by Jonathan Weaver

More than a decade since he began as a teacher, a local school administrator will be leaving his post tomorrow.

Lenape Vo-Tech Dean of Students/Program Development Specialist Joseph Fullerton is resigning effective tomorrow, October 1, from the school to transfer and become Director of Curriculum at Lancaster County Career and Technology Center.

Fullerton announced his decision before the Lenape Vo-Tech Joint Operating Committee earlier this month, with Administrative Director Dawn Kocher-Taylor accepting his resignation.

“I’d like to accept Mr. Fullerton’s resignation with regret and commend him for his service here,” Kocher-Taylor said. “Throughout the past 14 years, Joe’s been very dedicated to the organization and never hesitated to step up to get whatever needed done done. We certainly appreciate that.”

Fullerton began at the school in 1999 as a math teacher and became Program Development Specialist/Adult Education Coordinator in 2004. He added Dean of Students to his resume last year.

“My first impression was ‘Wow, this is pretty neat,’

Fullerton was never concerned about the titles, though.

“You just do the job that’s necessary and not worry about a job title,” Fullerton said. “You do what you gotta do to get the job done. Being in education is all about the students, and that’s what I hope I’m remembered for: doing what’s best for students.”

During his tenure, the school has averaged 430-450 students per year and has provided 16 curriculum programs to students in the Apollo-Ridge, Armstrong, Freeport and Leechburg school districts.

Comparably, Lancaster County Career and Technology Center offers more than 50 programs to students in 16 public school districts and four private schools.

Fullerton received applause and congratulations by Joint Operating Committee members.

“I hope they learned from me as much as I learned from them,” Fullerton said. “I’ve made a lot of great relationships here and have a lot of great friends.”

Before he began at Lenape, Fullerton was a substitute teacher in the Kiski Area School District and Leechburg School District.