On July 17, the Hamburg Area School Board hired an assistant principal for the high school and put the wheels in motion to create a policy dealing with nepotism.
The recommendation by Hamburg Superintendent Richard Mextorf of middle school language arts teacher Christopher Beissel for the assistant principal position was unanimously approved, 6-0, by the board, but brought to light the district’s need for a policy dealing with nepotism.
“Chris’ mom works in the high school,” Mextorf told the board members. “He would be her supervisor.”
One of the functions of the assistant principal is to evaluate teachers performances which would create a conflict of interest for Beissel since his mother, Doreen Ottaviani, is a high school science teacher whom he would have to evaluate.
Mextorf headed off the conflict by deciding that high school Principal Chris Spohn would complete Ottaviani’s evaluation.
However, this brought to light the absence of a district policy that deals with nepotism, where those with influence could favor relatives or friends by giving them jobs.
Prior to the vote, school director Todd Hummel asked to have the motion to vote tabled for one week.
“(Chris) is a fine candidate and I understand that you want him to start right away, but none-the-less I’d like to meet in one week in order to digest this before voting,” Hummel said.
Mextorf had hoped to get Beissel started in his new position as soon as possible.
“This is a brand new job, with a lot to learn,” Mextorf said. “I don’t want to wait until mid-August, then there is only two weeks to get ready.”
Mextorf, who would like to see a nepotism policy in place by the start of the school year, presented school directors with a five-page sample policy.
“I’m satisfied with voting tonight after reading this policy,” Hummel said.
The six school directors who were present read the policy and approved the first reading of the policy.
School directors Brian Specht and Lolly Lesher were absent. One seat is vacant.
School directors would have to approve a second reading at the Aug. 14 meeting before it can become a district policy.
Beissel was among 76 applicants for the position which carries a salary of $84,000.
“I’m ready for the next step, to impact kids’ lives,” Beissel said. “I’m ready to get to it.”
In other news, during the public comment portion of the meeting, district resident John Ide said that it has been reported that school directors approved Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA).
Ide asked school directors to clarify that only a resolution was passed that allows an incoming business to apply for a LERTA. School directors agreed.
The next meeting of school directors is Monday, Aug. 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the high school.
