Published Thursday, July 25, 2002
include band
director
Herald Staff Writer
Over the objections of band parents and students, Reynolds school directors Wednesday furloughed music teacher and band director Michael Mazzocco, along with nine other teachers, three temporary nontenured teachers and 10 teacher aides.
The 23 new layoffs are part of the board's plan to get out from under a $2 million deficit, which came to light in May.
Superintendent Dr. Anthony Trosan said the furloughs will save the district $1 million a year in salaries and benefits. "That's what it will take" to get out of debt, Trosan said.
Other teachers who lost their jobs are: Carol Ann McCall, business education; John Tofani, social studies; William Foore, science; and Maria Rodenbaugh, English -- all at the high school; guidance counselor Kelly Nan; and elementary teachers Sarah King, Julie Svarny, Daniel Hayne and Jeffrey DeJulia. The three nontenured teachers fuloughed were all in the special education department: Holly McKinney, Jane Miller and Amy Leczner.
The teacher aides who were cut are: Maria Galus, Tammy Malanowski, Virgnia Rimko, Cathy Anderson, Patricia Needels, Lynn Black, Brenda McClimans, Joni Diehl, Patricia Swartz and Patricia Popovich.
Finance committee chairman Maddox Stokes said board members met many times and did "a lot of soul searching" to come up with solutions to the budget problem.
"Tonight is the hardest part," he said, referring to the staff cuts. "Tonight the board will be making decisions that affect people's lives."
Trosan added that seniority was the determining factor in the layoffs.
The board previously furloughed administrators JoAnn Bova, director of curriculum, and Brian S. Bronson, elementary co-principal. Bronson was hired Wednesday night as principal for Greenville's East Elementary School.
Several band students left the room in tears after the board voted to cut the teachers. Directors Daniel McBride and Gary Preston voted against the 10 teacher furloughs, while directors Jeff Colson, Sue Mitchell, Dr. George Reeher, Elizabeth Schuffert, Stokes and Bradley Stull voted yes. Director Barry Nelson was absent.
At the start of the meeting, Reynolds Band Booster secretary Dyana Thompson presented board members with a 101-signature petition asking them to keep Mazzocco. Her daughter, Michele Truax, a band student, had spoken on Mazzocco's behalf at the board's work session on Monday.
Judy Wilson, assistant girls' softball coach, and Jodie Spencer, head girls' softball coach, said they would give up their positions or salaries if it meant saving Mazzocco's job.
"My son will not play in the band this year if Michael Mazzocco does not conduct the band," Ms. Wilson said. "That's not my decision; it's his ... please reconsider keeping Michael Mazzocco. He has touched these kids' lives."
"I don't know if I'd be the student I'd be today (if it weren't for Mazzocco," senior Danielle Steel said as she fought tears. "He has impacted so many people ... he is very vital to us ... I don't see how you guys can get rid of him."
Another student said Mazzocco not only cares about music, he helps his students in other areas of their lives.
Reynolds alumni Nick Wilson, a sophomore music major at Edinboro University, said if it hadn't been for Mazzocco, he probably would have gone into the military instead of going to college.
"The first thing they teach us is young students need individual attention when you teach them instruments," he said. "How will you do that with only two teachers?" Mazzocco's furlough leaves the music department with two teachers.
Trosan said even though Mazzocco's position was eliminated, the band program will continue. Band is offered both as a class and an extra-curricular activity, he said, adding the board is seeking someone to fill the extra-curricular band-director post.
Trosan also said that even though the staff cuts affect many extra-curricular programs, the programs will continue with some adjustments.