Northgate superintendent Dr. Reggie Bonfield will retire on June 29, 2012.

The district’s school board voted Monday to accept his resignation, and to hire Joseph Werlinich to serve as the consultant and advisor in a search for a new superintendent, at a fee not to exceed $5,000.

Ohio Township is asking for the Avonworth School District's help in preventing the defacing of its street signs.

Avonworth superintendent Valerie McDonald and Brad Waters, director of fiscal management and support services, had a meeting with officials from Ohio Township last week, according to McDonald. At that time, McDonald and Waters were informed that Avonworth seniors were believed to be defacing street signs in the township. According to McDonald, signs were starting to wear the "2012" mark. McDonald was told that this was "everywhere."

Next year's early primary election for the presidential nominations will have an impact on the school district budgeting process, triggering early deadlines for certifying whether 2012-13 millage increases will fall within the state index.

Under state law, school districts must hold a primary election referendum in order to increase property taxes more than the index, unless the district is granted exceptions by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

By VICKI MORTIMER

Although a high number of children living in the Northgate School District may have asthma, there is no reason to believe the district’s schools have caused or contributed to the problem, according to school officials.

Citizens questioned Northgate officials at Monday’s school board meeting about a WTAE news report that stated that some 37 percent of the students in the Northgate School District have asthma, the highest percentage among school districts in Allegheny County. According to the WTAE report, the national and state average is 11 percent.

At least a portion of Northgate School District’s full-day kindergarten program could be restored, thanks to a state grant that will provide some funding.

Northgate eliminated full-day kindergarten in budget cuts last month. The program had been funded by a state accountability block grant of nearly $200,000, funds that were drastically cut in Gov. Tom Corbett’s 2011-12 budget for Pennsylvania.

Northgate is looking at using its final stimulus funds on a program that will “retrain” students’ brains so that they are better able to learn and process information.

Assistant to the superintendent Kathleen Gallagher said that the district has until June 30 to spend the remaining funds, which cannot be used to pay for current programs.

By VICKI MORTIMER

After hearing from those opposed to some of the cuts made to balance the Northgate School District’s 2011-12 budget, the board voted Monday to propose a spending plan with no tax increase, and no funding for full-day kindergarten, a spring musical, or several teaching positions.

About 15 students concerned about the reduction of funding for the high school musical told the board that the musical taught them the value of hard work, was a lot of fun, brought the students closer, let students express themselves, and improved the students' singing and acting abilities.

MAYOR RESPONDS Editor:

This letter is in response to the letter to the editor dated 4/22/11.

DON’T WAIT FOR THE STATE

Editor:

A room full of residents looking for answers to the Northgate School District’s financial problems didn’t get them at Monday’s school board meeting.

With no budget discussion on the agenda, the issue was left to the taxpayers who attended to stress their concerns over another proposed tax hike and what programs could be cut.

After last year’s 3.1 mill property tax increase, the district has requested permission from the state to increase taxes by another 2.5 mills for the coming year in an effort to mitigate a $1.3 million budget deficit.

No longer needing computer equipment once used by visually impaired students, the Northgate School Board voted Monday to sell the items to the Avonworth School District, which was expected to enroll a visually-impaired student that day.

The board officially declared a portable personal brailer, notebook computer, printer and software and accessories to be “unused and unnecessary,” and voted unanimously to sell the equipment to Avonworth for $3,500. Superintendent Dr. reggie Bonfield said that Northgate originally paid about $5,000 for the items.

Board member Gary Palladin was absent.

The Northgate School District will undergo an asbestos re-inspection.

Every structure, from sheds to buildings, will be included. This is a three-year re-inspection and management plan update. It is a federally-mandated procedure that will cost Northgate $2,900.

When new board member Dr. Timothy Makatura asked why the need for re-inspections if no asbestos was found the first time, Dr. Reggie Bonfield, superintendent, explained, "We have to do it per the federal government requirement."