BY STACI WILSON

After nearly a year at the helm of Montrose Junior-Senior High School, Principal Michael Boccella is moving on.

At the Monday, Nov. 10 school board meeting, Boccella announced he had accepted the Dean of Curriculum – a central office administration position – in the Valley View School District. “I wasn’t exploring it because I don’t love it here,” he explained. “I aspire to be a superintendent someday. This is a step toward that.”

Boccella has been with Montrose for eight years, rising through a variety of positions in that time – from teacher and coach to high school administrator.

The board accepted Boccella’s resignation, with regret. His last day with Montrose will be Dec. 23. The board also approved a waiver of repayment of course tuition.

The cost of letterman jackets is putting a strain on varsity club funds. Athletic Director Joe Gilhool said students currently pay $10 toward the coats that cost over $200 each. He said that he now has about $2,000 worth of varsity jackets that were ordered but never picked up and the $10 fee never paid.

Concession sales offset the cost of the coats. About $3,000 was raised in football concession sales. The district also pays about $3,000. Last year, according to Gilhool, about $7,000 was taken out of the varsity club account to cover the jacket costs.

Gilhool proposed moving toward a more basic jacket – one that could be worn throughout the majority of the year. Cost of those coats is about $100, he said. The student portion of the cost could then remain at $10. To stay with the tradition coat, student cost would have to increase.

Board members said the switch to the newer style should be made, agreeing the students would get more wear out of the style.

Based on a recommendation from the auditor, the district’s natural gas royalties – considered local revenue – will flow through the general fund to the capital fund. Royalties received will be allocated for building and grounds improvements.

The reimbursement rate for activity run mileage was increase from $2.63 to $2.67, retroactive to Oct. 1, in accordance with the state cost index. Bus contractor Jim Ainey asked the board to consider including the annual index increase in writing so the future administrations don’t overlook it. Superintendent Carol Boyce suggested it be included in the transportation handbook.

The board accepted, with regret, the resignations of: Thomas Lewis, assistant track coach; Eliza Ely, football cheerleading adviser; Anne Hoopingarner, head girls’ and boys’ tennis coach.

Jeanne Rabel was approved as a long-term substitute guidance counselor at the Junior-Senior High School, from about Jan. 5, 2015 through about April 1, 2014, at a rate of $147.22 per day, with no additional benefits.

The board will hold its reorganization meeting on Monday, Dec. 1, in the Junior-Senior High School learning center, immediately following a 7 p.m. work session.