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Content about David Natale

02.26.10
Good question

A letter to the editor in this week's paper asks whether property tax millage increases being considered by both local school boards are justified.

Good question.

06.17.11
Northgate to raise taxes

The Northgate School Board can balance the coming year's budget, but it will not be able to raise taxes enough next year to fund the 2012-13 budget.

That is the rationale expressed by a majority of board members for why they plan to vote in favor of a 2011-12 property tax millage increase next week.

Finance committee chairman Daniel O'Keefe said at the board's work session on June 13 that of the $1.6 million cut from Northgate's budget for the coming year, about $1 million is a one-time savings due to retirements and staff furloughs.

04.22.11
No summer closing

By a vote of 7 to 1, the Northgate School Board voted Monday to rescind the two-week closing of the district's buildings to all student activities for two weeks in the summer.

Board member David Natale said that although the two-week period orginally was scheduled as a time when families could take vacations knowing there would be no practices or other activities, other students were hurt by the inability to access school buildings during the period.

Board member Timothy Makatura cast the lone dissenting vote. Board member Anthony Barbarino was absent from the meeting.

04.22.11
Northgate cuts personnel

Still working to make up a 2011-12 budget deficit, the Northgate School Board voted Monday to furlough a high school social studies teacher.

The action represents the first teaching position that will be eliminated other than through attrition. The board also approved the early retirement of several professional employees, and voted to eliminate a number of support positions.

04.15.11
Northgate narrows 2011-12 budget gap

Northgate officials believe they are beginning to see the light at the end of the budget deficit tunnel, despite the fact that the state has denied part of the district’s request for property tax increases.

Under the Act 1 inflation index, Northgate is allowed to increase the millage rate by .5 mills in 2011-12. The district requested permission from the Pennsylvania Department of Educa-tion, however, to increase millage by 2.5 mills without having to comply with Act 1’s ballot referendum requirement.

03.25.11
Young runners

The Northgate School Board voted Monday to allow the use of Alumni Field after school from March 23 by a new elementary running club.

David Natale, chair of the Athletic Committee, stated that the non-school running club was a "phenomenal idea," but questioned why it was open only to students at Bellevue Elementary.

02.18.11
Northgate to seek 2.5 mill exception

While the Northgate School Board seeks permission to increase property taxes 2.5 mills in the coming year, a challenge to cut spending was endorsed more heartily in theory than in practice at the board’s work session on Monday.

12.17.10
Young Northgate team opens season with win

By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames' 2010-11 varsity basketball team led by coach Perry Harrop, in his second year coaching the Flames, hit the hardwood Tuesday night for their home opener. The Flames didn't disappoint their fans, as they opened up with an exciting win against the Cougars from Carlynton High School.

07.23.10
Seminar package

The Northgate School Board voted Monday to purchase a discounted pass that will allow board members to attend seminars at no additional cost.

Although board members noted that there has not been much interest in past years in attending seminars, the $899.10 package will allow them to attend at no additional cost. It was reported that seminars can cost between $100 and $160 per person without the pass.

05.21.10
Park contribution

The Northgate School Board voted Monday to contribute $8,000 to improvements at Avalon’s California Avenue Park, but not the $10,000 requested by Avalon Borough.

Avalon obtained a $28,000 grant to rehabilitate the park, which is used by Avalon Elementary School students. The project is expected to cost another $22,000, however, according to board member David Natale. He said that Avalon originally requested that the district chip in $8,000, but then sent another letter requesting a $10,000 contribution.

03.19.10
Make-up day

Northgate students will be attending school on Monday, April 5, to make up a school day lost to bad weather this winter.

School board member David Natale said that although April 5 is not a great choice because it is the day of the Pirates’ opening game, the only other day students could have attended classes was Good Friday. He said that the situation provided a perfect example of one reason why school should start before Labor Day.

The board also voted at its March 15 meeting to ratify Feb. 15 as another make-up day.

12.11.09
Coin toss decides board officers

It took nine roll call votes, two recesses and a coin toss before the Northgate School Board was able to elect a new president during the reorganization meeting Monday evening.

Incumbent Charles Miklos was elected to two board seats -- one for a four-year term and one for a two-year term -- during the November general election, and chose to accept the four-year seat. That left a two-year vacancy and only eight board members available to elect new officers during the Dec. 7 meeting.

11.20.09
New Briefs

Northgate personnel The Northgate School Board made two personnel decisions at its regular meeting on Monday.

The board ratified the hiring of Brittany Armstrong as a part-time special education teacher assistant.

Brandon Hogle was hired as a full-time secondary social studies teacher at the middle/high school. He replaces Kevin McKiernan, who accepted a position as assistant principal in the West Allegheny School District.

Board member David Natale was absent.

ACORD appointment

11.13.09
Coach wanted

Northgate School Board's athletic committee would like to hire a third coach for the softball team.

Athletic committee chairman David Natale reported at the Monday school board meeting that it was nearly impossible for the two existing coaches to handle both the varsity and junior varsity programs, which was one of the reasons the J.V. team was eliminated last year.

He said the committee would like to hire a second assistant coach.

11.13.09
Research study

The Avonworth and Northgate girls' basketball teams will be part of a research study this year that could help protect future players from injury.

Northgate School Board member David Natale reported at the board's Nov. 9 committee of the whole meeting that Dr. Sani Akhaven of Allegheny General Hospital has devised a jump training program that will help build core strength and reduce the occurrence of ACL injuries.

11.13.09
Softball co-op?

Girls at Northgate's middle school may be able to play softball this spring.

Northgate School Board athletic committee chairman David Natale said that athletic director Bryan Kyle was discussing with Avonworth the possibility of middle school softball, already in place at the neighboring school district, becoming a co-op sport.

10.16.09
Team eliminated

Northgate's ninth grade boys' basketball team will be absorbed into the varsity/junior varsity program, at least for the coming season.

School board athletic committee chairman David Natale reported at the board's Oct. 12 committee of the whole meeting that although 11 boys had signed up for the ninth grade team, there was concern that the school would not be able to field both varsity and junior varsity teams. Natale said that the committee was attempting to avoid what happened last year, when several varsity players had to play both JV and varsity games.

06.19.09
News Briefs

Assessments opposed The Northgate School Board has voted to oppose new graduation competency assessments proposed by the state.

The board passed a resolution at its regular meeting on June 15, opposing the high school graduation competency assessments and Keystone exams proposed by Pennsylvania Governer Ed Rendell and the Department of Education.

According to Northgate superintendent Dr. Reggie Bonfield, the assessments would create a new way to evaluate whether a student is ready to graduate.

06.12.09
New coach

A coaching dynasty may be in the making at Northgate, as the current middle school football coach’s son is expected to take over his dad’s position next fall.

David Haslett Sr. recently resigned both his coaching position and his job with the district’s buildings and grounds department to accept another job outside Northgate.

Northgate School Board athletic committee chairman David Natale said that Haslett’s son, David Haslett Jr., is the recommended candidate for his father’s coaching job.