Canon-McMillan

School directors made it official Monday night when they hired Helen McCracken as their new superintendent, effective July 1.

Dr. McCracken, who has worked in the school district for 30 years, was hired Monday with a five-year contract. Her first-year salary will be $125,000.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge," she said.

Retiring Superintendent Nick Bayat also received a plaque and was recognized for his "dedicated service to the district."

Dr. Bayat said he was profoundly grateful to teachers and administrators. He said he was fortunate to have shared time and his vision of education with everyone.

"I thank you very much for providing me the opportunity [to be a leader]," he said.

• The board passed a $55,008,020 budget, which included a 2.5-mill tax increase. The increase is less than the 4.4-mill tax hike that was part of the tentative budget.

The 2.5-mill increase brings the total tax rate to 97 mills, or $9.70 on each $1,000 of assessed property. A mill generates approximately $296,000 for the district.

The board voted 5-3 to approve the budget. Director Nick Cianelli was absent. Directors Jay Romano, Robert Malwitz and Manuel Pihakis dissented.

Before casting his vote, Mr. Malwitz said there were "fatal errors" in the budget. After the meeting, he said the board chose to raise taxes when it could have saved the district $800,000 by including a teacher retirement incentive plan.

"We shot ourselves in the foot and want everyone else to pay our medical bill," Mr. Malwitz said.

The board also voted to take out a five-year, $743,000 loan for capital expenditures including three buses, Cecil sewage fees and costs, computers and facility projects. Mr. Pihakis voted against the loan.

• These teachers have been awarded $800 mini-grants for the following programs:

• Kim Greenleaf and Shelley McMillon, Cecil Intermediate School, "Energy Everywhere."

• Heather Shaffer, First Street Elementary School, "Get Up and Move."

• Beth Hanson-Bowen, Muse Elementary School, "Differentiated Home Activity Kits."

• Lisa Angle, Canonsburg Middle School, "Art for the Social Conscience."

• Elaine Andronas, Shannon Cimarolli, Jenn Gansberger, Michelle Heiser and Amanda Kyle, North Strabane Intermediate School, "W.I.S.E. Kids @ NSI."

• Carla Mastrian, Mandy Sovich and Larissa Friday, Cecil Intermediate School, "Sensory Integration Station."

• Canonsburg Middle School's technology department was recognized for earning an Ernest Q. Johnson for Charity Grant for $1,900. The money will be used to purchase equipment for a Desktop Publishing course.

Peters

More than 70 Pleasant Valley Elementary students filled the high school stage May 16 for "PV Idol" -- the school's version of American Idol and a chance to raise funds for the Peters Township Relay for Life event.

Following 35 acts, the audience voted for their favorites by making donations to the Relay and the American Cancer Society in the act's voting box.

Donations totaled $4,404 and the audience contributed 480 pounds of food for the Washington County Food Bank. The Pleasant Valley team has raised more than $10,000 for the American Cancer Society in four years.