dkeller@observer-reporter.com

CANONSBURG - Canon-McMillan School Board members disagreed Monday night about whether they illegally took action regarding a teacher retirement incentive during a closed meeting.

The members agreed that they sent a letter to the teachers union, informing the group that the board wouldn't approve a retirement incentive this year.

The question is whether there was a vote about it.

Board member Manuel Pihakis contends there was a straw vote and that's what led to the action of sending a letter. He said the numbers showed the district could save more than $800,000 if 30 teachers retired.

Board Vice President Kathy Smith said the board has said publicly over the past year that it doesn't want a retirement incentive. She said President Debbie Link was just asking in the closed meeting if anyone had changed their mind.

Smith said if board members changed their mind, then a vote would be needed in public.

Pihakis questioned how the board could justify potentially increasing taxes while not approving the retirement incentive.

Board member Nick Cianelli Jr. said those numbers aren't accurate.

"We're in the situation we're in because we have union representatives guiding our finances," he said.

Board member Robert Malwitz said it's a political question about whether to offer the incentive. Any political body has to respect the majority view, he said, adding that he's part of the minority on this issue.

"This district has far bigger problems to deal with than sitting here juggling numbers," he said. "My concern is more the way we do business than what we do."

Few residents spoke at the meeting. Some told the board to not speak about private matters discussed in executive session. Others said the board should approve the retirement incentive.

Home