West Middlesex Area School Board's teacher-hiring practices came under fire Wednesday night when directors met to hire new educators.

Robin Fette, 32, of Burrows Road, Shenango Township, asked whether board members ever see prospective teachers' credentials, including her own.

"At the last meeting, you spent at least 20 minutes discussing the kind of cafeteria tables needed," said the elementary teacher who works in Youngstown schools. "But there were no discussions about the teachers hired in the district. The board should be given an opportunity to see the credentials of teachers who apply to the district."

After the meeting directors Gary Koncar and Arlene Repko said that although they do not routinely receive the credentials of teachers they hire, the credentials are available for their review at any time.

Mrs. Fette, who has applied for the last two years for a job in her home district, claimed she was concerned about the quality of educators that West Middlesex is hiring. She also distributed to each board member a folder containing her own credentials and reference letters.

"Robin will be your best choice," Mrs. Fette read from a letter written by West Middlesex Assistant Elementary Principal Georgianna Luce. Mrs. Luce wrote the reference after Mrs. Fette substituted in the district during 2000-01.

"I was not even given the opportunity to come before the board," Mrs. Fette said.

She said Superintendent Albert Jones told her the board was looking for someone with extracurricular experience. She then pointed out that a recent hire not only did not have teaching experience but also had no extracurricular experience.

"I was also told, 'Don't make waves'. Well put on your life jackets.," she said, adding that she has experience in both teaching and extracurricular activities.

"The best teachers are not being hired for our school district. There is no rhyme or reason to it," said Mrs. Fette, a high honor graduate of Slippery Rock University. "I know my chances of getting a job here are done. I'm here to fight for a quality education for the students. As long as we leave things the way they have been, nothing will ever change."

The board hired three elementary teachers and a secondary math teacher, but board President Tom Hubert expressed concern that they were not "the best."

"The (hiring) policy states that you have to hire the best," he said. "I'm going to have to give a no vote, according to the way the policy states it."

Hubert cast the only vote against hiring elementary teachers Melissa Gargasz of New Wilmington and Kevin Briggs of Lackawannock Township and math teacher Michael Shuleski of Hookstown, Pa. All will be paid about $31,000.

"I have no problem with either of my children learning from (them)," said Hubert, calling all three of them "great," but he noted hiring them did not conform to the board's policy of hiring the best. "I felt that (others) were more qualified. Please don't take it personally in any way," he said.

Hubert explained after the meeting that the hiring process is overseen by Jones, Director of Curriculum Jane Martin and the principals of the schools where positions are open. After a second interview, applicants teach a "practice class" for board members, who then meet behind closed doors with the administration to discuss applicants. Directors generally go along with the administration's recommendation, Hubert said.

Director Warden "Buck" Burger commented, "You have to look at your administrators as the ultimate source of expertise."

"Our administration has over 100 years of experience. They are qualified to hire," Koncar said after the meeting, adding that more than 100 people applied for three open elementary teaching positions.

"A teacher is the biggest investment a school district makes," Hubert said. "By the time they retire after 30 to 35 years, there is over a million-dollar investment with taxpayers' dollars. I take that very seriously."

Also hired was elementary teacher Michelle Lynn McBride of Enon Valley at a salary of about $31,000. Shannon Bean of West Middlesex was upgraded from a part-time secondary teacher to a full-time elementary teacher at a salary of about $33,000, and Audra Eberhart of Clark was appointed as a long-term substitute elementary teacher for the first semester of 2002-03 at a salary prorated from about $31,000.

Director Walter "Butch" Gelesky was not at Wednesday's meeting.