Published Tuesday, June 13, 2000
NEW WILMINGTON
Board hires interim leader; bond issue deadline looms
By Pam MansellHerald Writer
Wilmington school directors Monday night unanimously hired Joseph A. Scungio as acting superintendent. He replaces Dr. C. Leon Ahlum, who quit unexpectedly last month, citing problems working with the current school board.
Scungio was superintendent of the Neshannock Township School District, retiring in June 1999 after 19 years in that position. He will be paid $350 a day for filling the Wilmington post until a new superintendent is hired. Last month, the board asked the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV to help in the search for a new superintendent.
Board president Richard Houlette said last week that they hope to have the position filled before the school year starts in September.
Houlette noted that Scungio has been through recent building projects at Neshannock. Wilmington is scheduled to start its $9 million renovation of its three elementary schools later this month.
On June 20 the board will open bids on the New Wilmington Elementary School portion of the project, which was approved in March, rejected in May, and approved again last week. If bids are accepted and contracts awarded, the board will go forward with a bond issue for the project. All of those decisions will be made June 20.
Currently, budget projections call for a 0.8 mill tax increase for Wilmington School District residents in Lawrence County, raising taxes to 84 mills, and a 1-mill tax increase for those who live in Mercer