Singer needs to hold up his end, transparency needs to be evident

PA Board President, Atty. Mark Singer

   There has been quite a bit of maneuvering going on behind this scenes to name the replacement for Jim Heffers who was Pittston Area’s IT (Information Technology) coordinator.
   Please recall a couple of weeks ago we wrote in this corner Heffers was retiring.  His position was covered under the teachers’ contract.
   First, Heffers has officially retired as a Pittston Area School Teacher.  He will collect all the benefits which are covered under the teachers’ contract.
   However, because some think he holds the only key to the IT Department, Heffers may return under an Act 93 contract.
   The problem, it’s an unbudgeted position. 
   An $80,000 plus benefits problem – total package would be $100,000 per year for four years (two mils).
   Now I, for one, am all for paying for good talent.
   However, the transparency in this move is pathetic at best.
   From what we have gathered the board may try to sneak this through at the Monday night meeting.
   The reason I say “the transparency in this move is pathetic” is, in usual Pittston Area style, this position has not been advertised.
   Now, I’m not saying Heffers is not the most qualified.  He very well may be.
   However, if the board shoves this down the taxpayers’ throat, we’ll never know.
   My understanding is that Board President Attorney Mark Singer is supportive of this move.
   When Ross Scarantino was indicted, Singer assured everyone the district would get through this.  He assured us there would be true transparency.
   Well, if Singer spearheads and supports this move, he might as well grant Scarantino his full pension and pay him for all is his sick and vacation days.
   If the board feels they need to spend $100,000 a year on an IT director, let’s find out what is out there.
   Considering the state of the economy, the talent pool for a top level IT Director is quite plentiful right now.
   And, if Jim Heffers is at the top of the talent pool, then by all means, pay him eighty grand a year while he collects his full pension.