Crestwood School Board extends Milazzo’s contract for 2 years

WRIGHT TWP. — Winter storms aside, the Crestwood School Board held its December meeting Thursday, and one of the items on the agenda was the termination of the recently approved shared transportation agreement with the Hazleton School District. The board of directors then voted to enter into a shared transportation agreement with the Luzerne Intermediate Unit.

When the Hazleton district’s shared-use agreement was first proposed, Superintendent Natasha Milazzo emphasized that it wasn’t about putting students on vehicles, but simply pooling some of the transportation management. No reason for the change was given Thursday. Intermediate units are agencies created by the state to provide various services to schools within their boundaries. LIU covers all of Luzerne County and part of Wyoming County.

The board of directors voted to extend Milazzo’s contract for two years. Milazzo originally came to the area as a business manager. When Superintendent Vito Quaglia resigned after five months to move to another district, Milazzo was named acting superintendent in August. A few days later, at a special meeting, she was given the full title along with a three-year contract. Thursday’s extension means she now has a five-year contract.

The board also accepted the resignation of Beth Ann Harris as director of special education, effective immediately. The board then approved a stipend of $1,000 per month, not to exceed $5,000, for John Gorman to provide special education services through the end of June 2023.

The board approved a one-time $5,000 stipend to Rice Elementary Principal Margaret Foster to also serve as director of curriculum for the current school year.

The board also:

• Updated a la carte prices, increasing Large Iced Teas from $1.30 to $2.30, Small Iced Teas from $1 to $1.50, Hershey’s Treats from $1 to $1.50, Class Celebration Orders from $1, 25 to $2, and sparkling water from $2 to $2.50.

Accepted the resignation of Rebecca Gross.

Named Russ Kyle head girls lacrosse coach, Brian Zabroski head boys lacrosse coach, Robert Moulton head boys track and field coach, Amy Vitti head girls track and field coach and Dave Coptcho head softball coach, all at $5,764 each.

Hired Joe Tattersall as head boys volleyball coach at $4,541 and Scott Lenio as head tennis coach at $4,115.