Trinity School Board hiring new director of fiscal services
Matthew Howard was hired by Trinity Area School Board as the district’s director of fiscal services Thursday.
Howard replaces David Roussos, who left the district to take a similar position in Penn Hills School District.
The board unanimously approved a five-year contract for Howard that will run until Feb. 16, 2022.
Howard will receive an annual salary of $120,000, which will be prorated for the 2016-17 school year.
He was previously assistant to the superintendent for finance and operations at Bethel Park School District, where he had worked for nearly 15 years.
“I’m very excited for this new opportunity and am looking forward to getting to Trinity and helping them move forward,” said Howard, a CPA who has more than 22 years of experience in school finance.
Dr. Michael Lucas, superintendent, said the district is “thrilled that he has a lot of experience with construction and renovation, and we hope to tap into his expertise as we tackle some (Qualified Zone Academy Bonds projects) this year.”
In another matter, the school board approved a pre-employment drug-testing policy for new hires.
All applicants who receive an employment offer, including full-time and part-time professional and nonprofessional staff, coaches and substitutes, will be required to take a drug test.
Marijuana, cocaine, opiates including heroin, hallucinogens and other illegal substances will be included in the screening.
An applicant who tests positive will not be allowed to work in the school district and will not be considered for future employment.
The school district will cover the cost of the drug test, which is approximately $37.
“We’re just trying our best to scan our candidates and to keep our kids safe,” said Lucas. “Many schools have a similar policy. It’s a standard, routine policy.”
The new drug policy takes effect immediately.
Also, directors approved by a 5-4 vote an agreement with American Scholar Group to permit the company to sell Trinity’s curriculum to foreign countries. The school district will earn a profit each time a foreign country purchases the curriculum from ASG.
The school district also is reviewing a second agreement that will enable students from foreign countries to enroll in Trinity.
In other business, directors unanimously approved purchasing $541,665 in computer and technology equipment for Trinity Middle School and Trinity West and North elementary schools, using QZAB funds.
The equipment includes Chromebooks, computer labs and fabrication labs.