PEDAS

He put his money where his mouth is Monday by giving the district $1,200 for Wheatland Student of the Year Achievement and Recognition Awards.

Pedas said he read about the Wheatland residents who want to leave the Farrell school district and join West Middlesex or Hermitage. He said he was moved by their comments and wanted to start the award program, which will tender $100 to the top Wheatland student in grades 1-12 at the end of the school year.

"I went to school with Wheatland kids," he said. "I was happy to hear some of them say they were glad they went to Farrell."

Pedas challenged the board to make sure Wheatland residents know "they do fit in" at Farrell schools.

"See what you can do to recognize our Wheatland citizens," he said.

"Ted Pedas is a hell of a guy to begin with," said Jim Weiser, one of the Wheatland parents who formed WhEAT, Wheatland’s Educational Alternatives Taskforce. "For Ted Pedas to say that is awesome. That means a lot coming from that guy."

Superintendent Richard R. Rubano Jr. responded that Wheatland is a part of the school system.

Director Lester Robinson Jr. reiterated that the board makes decisions based on what’s best for all students. "We try to be as fair as we possibly can."

Robinson said the Wheatland complaints were a "great eye-opener for us."