Greensburg Salem School Board approved a salary increase for district Superintendent Ken Bissell Wednesday.
The board registered its approval of Bissell’s work with a pay hike to $154,000, exceeding the minimum annual raise of $2,000 set forth when his contract and starting salary of $144,000 were approved in April 2022.
Bissell became superintendent in November 2021 after serving four months as acting superintendent once his predecessor, Gary Peiffer, left to accept a superintendent post with Chartiers-Houston School District.
“We’re very lucky to have Dr. Bissell lead our district, with his good work, his community involvement,” said board President Jeff Metrosky. “He earned every penny of what was voted on tonight.
“I don’t think a lot of people fully understand the number of hours a superintendent puts into the job.”
With Steve Thomas and Heather Shearer absent, the board voted 7-0 on the increase for the 2023-2024 school year, retroactive to July 1. Bissell is in the second full year of a contract that runs through June 30, 2026
The board also OK’d additional work to complete a new outdoor basketball court at the middle school.
This district will spend no more than $20,000 to have C.H. & D. Enterprises of Hempfield place a surface sealant and paint lines on a new basketball court the contractor is slated to construct in a grassy area behind the middle school.
The board last month awarded C.H. & D. a $115,000 primary contract for creating the court. The contractor initially indicated it planned to complete the project by Sept. 8.
The court will replace two 1970s-era basketball hoops that are situated in an adjacent parking lot. District officials have said the court will be available for use by community children when school isn’t in session.
“It adds more recreation for, not only our (physical education) classes, but for kids in the community, too,” Bissell said.
District bus contractor DMJ Transportation has donated about $35,000 toward the basketball court project.
“We’re still trying to generate other funds to cover some of the cost,” Bissell said.
The board also accepted the retirement of longtime instructor Amy Brant, who has taught third grade at Metzgar Elementary in Salem.
Taser, police officers added
The board hired two new school police officers, David Wilkinson and Frank Gardone. They will be paid $25 per hour for no more than 180 days of school.
It also accepted a grant of $1,471 from the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office to provide a Taser for use by school police officers when enforcing the state Controlled Substances, Drugs, Device and Cosmetic Act.
Although the school officers carry firearms, Bissell said, a Taser “is a better option than a firearm in certain circumstances. That comes from the district attorney and from our police officers, that this is a safer option for them.
“In situations where they may need to do something, not with a student, … rather than a firearm, that is a better way to go about that.”
Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff by email at jhimler@triblive.com or via Twitter .