TM(Advertisement)
Tube City Community Media Inc. is seeking freelance writers to help cover city council, news and feature stories in McKeesport, Duquesne, White Oak and the neighboring communities. High school and college students seeking work experience are encouraged to apply; we are willing to work with students who need credit toward class assignments. Please send cover letter, resume, two writing samples and the name of a reference (an employer, supervisor, teacher, etc. -- not a relative) to tubecitytiger@gmail.com.
Ads start at $1 per day, minimum seven days.
Board OK’s Fund Transfer for Repairs, Updates
School board delivers update on new security company
By Adam Reinherz
The Tube City Almanac
March 21, 2024
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area School District Choir Director Beth Eger leads student vocalists in a performance before the school board. The group performed songs from the high school’s upcoming production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” (Photos by Adam Reinherz for Tube City Almanac)
McKeesport Area School Board has approved a transfer of $2 million from the district’s fund balance to a capital reserve account.
The decision follows an independent audit report presented one week earlier indicating the district had nearly $9.5 million in unassigned funds. A fund balance, in accounting terms, is a surplus of revenue over expenses.
Board member Dave Seropian called the unassigned fund balance a “favorable number.”
Transferring $2 million from the pool to capital reserves will enable the district to address multiple projects, including repairs to parking lots and roadways at the high school, sound and lighting at the high school auditorium, and stadium lighting, he said.
The stadium’s status was further addressed during MASD’s meeting. Board president Mark Holtzman said the track’s recent closure was “due to the fact that we've had some issues with some teenagers.”
A new safety plan, which involves installing new cameras, is being developed, he added.
Superintendent Tia Wanzo said she discussed both the cameras and a plan for the stadium during a meeting with Kellington Protection Services.
The company, which began providing security for the district on March 4, is “doing quite a good job,” Holtzman said.
School district police Chief Brenda Sawyer said Kellington was fielding 14 guards around the district beginning March 15. The number of guards is expected to increase to 17 by the end of the month, she said.
Wanzo praised the new security company, and said it was “helpful to have a new fresh set of eyes on what's going on in the district.”
The previous security company resigned its contract with the district after one of its guards was accused of having sexual relations with a 17-year-old student.
Adam Reinherz is a freelance writer. He can be reached at adam.reinherz@gmail.com.
Originally published March 21, 2024.
In other news:
"Mobile Market Begins …" || "MASD, AIU Partner to …"