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439 Somerset Ave Rockwood PA
15557
:: Departments
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Mr. Mark Bower - Superintendent
Administration Office
Mr. Mark
Bower
Superintendent / High School Principal
Mr.
Samuel Romesberg
Elementary School Principal
Misty
Demchak
High
School Dean of Students
Mrs. Lori
Breckenridge
Superintendent's Secretary
From the Superintendent s Desk
Where do we go from here? This is the question that has been on
all of our minds following the discovery of the district s financial
shortfall last spring, and the recent resignation of the district s
superintendent, Mr. Vincent Capricci. working Together is
the only way for the school and community to move forward and continue to
provide our children with the quality of education that has occurred at
Rockwood in the past. In moving forward, the school board, administration,
faculty and staff have taken significant steps in the recovery process. In
addition, the district and community will be faced with several difficult
challenges and decisions that will enable us to bounce back from these
unfortunate circumstances.
Initially the district faced a projected shortfall of approximately
$250,000. In response to this shortfall, the district petitioned and was
granted a $500,000 loan for unfunded debt by the county court. However, the
district only had to use approximately $50,000 of the loan to cover the end
of year expenses. Part of the reduction resulted from the school board,
faculty and staff working together to drastically limit spending and control
costs temporarily.
Planning for the 2007-08 fiscal year has resulted in several necessary
measures. The school board recently adopted an emergency budget which
included a .6 mill tax increase. The increase is to the limit set by the
newly enacted state law known as Act 1. The budget puts off major purchases,
including technology and delaying the textbook replacement cycle. Although
the budget is balanced, the district will not be able to sustain competitive
educational programs and activities for our students in the future with such
a budget. The district is faced with the challenge of limiting costs and
finding additional sources of revenue to meet necessary expenses. The
administration has been actively pursuing grant funding to bring additional
revenue into the district as part of this effort.
Furthermore, the school board has appointed a committee to work with the
newly formed Rockwood Area Taxpayers Association to explore ideas and
possible solutions to many of the challenges the school district faces.
Several board members, the business manager, the elementary principal and I
are looking forward to meeting regularly with the group.
Several administrative changes have resulted as well for the upcoming school
year. In addition to maintaining many of the major responsibilities of high
school principal, I will be serving as the district s acting superintendent.
Mrs. Misty Demchak will assume the responsibilities of high school dean of
students. Mr. Sam Romesberg will serve as the federal programs coordinator.
And Mr. Adam Rullo will be coordinating the district s strategic planning
process as required by state law.
Work has continued in preparation for the school year. Planning for student
activities and programs, preparing the building, and replacing staff are
just a few of the many processes that have taken place during the summer.
With the retirement of Mr. Clair Lewis, who served the district for many
years, the board recently hired Mr. Garrett Gregory to take his place. Mr.
Gregory will be teaching both seventh and ninth grade English this year. Mr.
Gregory is a recent graduate of Duquesne University, where he received
several honors, including being named as the University s Outstanding
Student Teacher for the spring semester. We are very excited to have Mr.
Gregory on board, and hope you will make him feel welcome at Rockwood. We
would also like to wish Mrs. Hazel Romesberg a happy retirement following
many years of service as an elementary teacher.
In closing, I am looking forward to the return of the student body, faculty
and staff. I am also optimistic the school and community will be able to
work together during the next year to rise above the challenges that face
the district. I appreciate the support I have always been afforded here at
Rockwood, and I am confident knowing we will work together to meet the needs
of our children in the future.
Sincerely,
Mark R. Bower
High School Principal/Acting Superintendent
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