MCA board salutes departing member; approves donor names for libraries, science wing

MOUNT CARMEL - A 16-year member of Mount Carmel Area School Board who is leaving office next month was honored Thursday night for his dedication to the district.

The board also approved the dedication of the junior-senior high school and elementary school libraries and the junior-senior high school science wing in memory of three donors who have provided scholarships to high school graduates over the years.

Dennis Hepler was presented a certificate and special gifts by Mount Carmel Area Superintendent Cheryl Latorre on behalf of the school board and district for serving as a director for 16 years. Latorre praised Hepler for his longtime service and talked about his great passion for the district.

Hepler stated, "It's been a good run. My years on the board have been interesting, but fun. Everything I did was in the best interest of the school district, and I'm proud of the board's accomplishments over the years, including the construction of a new elementary school and renovations to the high school."

Hepler, who chose not to seek re-election, will be succeeded by Nicholas Goretski III, who won the board seat in the Nov. 3 general election.

Other board members receiving certificates Thursday night were Charles Mannello, Dr. Ray Kraynak and Donna James. Mannello and Kraynak have been directors for 16 years, while James has served on the board for eight years.

In another special presentation, Mildred J. Repella, wife of the late Michael S. Repella, was given a special gift by the district in recognition of a scholarship established by her in memory of her husband.

The Michael S. Repella Memorial Scholarship is a charitable trust in the amount of $500,000. The sole purpose of the fund is to promote educational activities by providing scholarships for college. Students applying for the scholarship are required to complete an essay and autobiography defining why they are deserving of the award.

Repella said she has received many heartfelt letters from the recipients of the scholarships over the years that mean a great deal to her.

The board agreed to name the high school library in memory of Michael S. Repella.

The directors also unanimously passed a motion to name the elementary school library in memory of Fred G. Smith and the high school science wing in memory of Gertrude and Joseph Deppen.

Smith established a scholarship to financially assist students to acquire postsecondary education. Students must be accepted to Bloomsburg University. The annual amount of the scholarship does not exceed $4,500 and is renewable each year.

The Deppen Scholarship was established by Joseph H. Deppen, a member of the Mount Carmel Class of 1900, in memory of his sister, Gertrude J. Deppen, a member of the Mount Carmel Class of 1902. The scholarship is for students attending Bucknell University who have resided in Mount Carmel for at least 10 years and are graduates of Mount Carmel Area High School.

Plaques will be installed in the libraries and science wing to honor the Repellas, Smith and Deppens.

In other business, the board passed a motion on a 7-1 vote to acquire a VISA credit card through Union National Bank to make certain purchases for the district.

Voting to approve the motion were Directors Donna James, Judy McCollum, Kraynak, Hepler, Michael Rovito, Eric Belfanti and Robert Muldowney. Mannello cast the lone dissenting vote. Rose Marquardt, who serves as board president, was absent, prompting James, who serves as board vice president, to conduct the meeting.

Mannello said, "We never had a credit card before, and we don't need one now."

Business administrator Janis Venna explained that the credit card will never leave the building and that only she and Latorre will be able to purchase items with the card.

Venna said only special business-related purchases will be made with the card.

The board also agreed to adopt a policy regarding the use of the credit card.

Directors approved the establishment of a dance team that will be open to students in ninth through 12th grades.

High school Principal Bernie Stellar explained the team will perform at various school-related events including pep rallies, basketball and football games and parades. He said the team will join the high school band at some performances.

The board later approved Kim Renz as the dance team instructor at a stipend of $1,000.

Mannello voted against hiring a dance team instructor since the team hasn't been formed yet. "You don't pay an instructor before you have a team," Mannello said.

Latorre and other members of the board told Mannello the instructor would only be paid if a team was established, which is a strong possibility..

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