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@SHillsAlmanac Our 48th Year
www.thealmanac.net
September 18, 2013
Lebo extends leader’s contract
Dogs denied their day in Lebo
Steinhauer’s new deal approved unanimously
Williamsburg Park plan fails with stalemate
By Nick Lewandowski For The Almanac writer@thealmanac.net
By Nick Lewandowsk For The Almanac writer@thealmanac.net
The Mt. Lebanon School Board voted unanimously to approve a new five-year contract with superintendent Dr. Tim Steinhauer. The contract will be effective July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2019. School board president Elaine Cappucci said the board’s deadline for awarding a new contract is technically January 2014. The board decided to act early because it was “very confident” it would like to continue working with Dr. Steinhauer. “Hiring and supervising the work of the superintendent is the most important work the board does,” Cappucci said. “During Dr. Steinhauer’s tenure student achievement has improved and we have embarked on several longterm projects, including the high school renovation and the capital campaign. The salary we have offered is commensurate with his abilities.” She added that the new contract was not discussed publicly at the Sept. 9 meeting because the board had not yet agreed on the terms of the contract. “The new salary is a market rate for a district of our size and caliber,” Cappucci said. The board did not disclose a salary figure in its resolution. Dr. Steinhauer’s salary is $163,776 for the 2013-2014 school year. A June 2013 study of administrative salaries by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) found that of 499 superintendent positions for which data was available, the top salary for the 2011-2012 SEE CONTRACT PAGE A9
The Mt. Lebanon commission failed to approve a pilot program allowing leashed dogs in Williamsburg Park at its Sept. 10 meeting. A tie vote failed to carry the motion. Commissioners Kelly Fraasch and Dave Brumfield voted yes, while Kristen Linfante and John Bendel stood opposed. Matt Kluck was absent, which led to the 2-2 tie. Residents in Brumfield’s Ward Four had been at odds over the issue since January. He proposed the 90-day pilot program as a compromise. It would have allowed dog owners to walk their pets in designated areas before nine o’clock in the morning and after dark. Residents opposed to the program had raised concerns regarding sanitation, enforcement and child safety. “Almost everyone who is against this is a parent,” resident Bruce Perry said prior to the vote. “We don’t allow dogs in schools. We don’t allow them on athletic fields. No one is denied use of the park. Just leave your dog at home.” Another resident, Clint Kelly, presented the commission with a petition signed by 130 Ward Four residents supporting the program. He accused opponents of obtaining signatures from non-residents for their own petitions, as well as misrepresenting dog owners’ wishes. “People who support walking dogs on leashes in the park have no intention of allowing it to become a dog run, or to let dogs run SEE DOGS PAGE A7
ELEANOR BAILEY/STAFF
St. Bernard School students Ellie Grefenstette, Emily Farley, Mariah Lomire and Bridget Hart practice signing the national anthem in preparation of their performance Sept. 18 at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ baseball game. The Pirates will pay tribute to Vince Lascheid, who played the organ for the organization as well as the Mt. Lebanon church for more than 30 years.
The sign of music St. Bernard students use hands to honor Lascheid By Terri Johnson Staff writer tjohnson@thealmanac.net
For years, Vince Lascheid’s life revolved around his family, his church and the music he created on the organ to entertain crowds at Pittsburgh Pirates, Penguin and Steeler games. To honor his memory, about 50
students from the late Lascheid’s home church, St. Bernard Parish Roman Catholic Church and School in Mt. Lebanon, will sign the national anthem on the field of PNC Park before the Pirates take on the San Diego Padres Sept. 18. His daughter, Mindy Lascheid of Scott Township, helped organize the event that honors her father who died in 2009 at the age of 85. She
will hold a photograph of her father as she stands on the field while the students, all dressed in black with white gloves, sign the words. St. Bernard School Principal Dan Wagner is thrilled the students will have the opportunity to perform on a major league baseball field. Wagner, along with about 300 family members and supporters, SEE SIGN PAGE A7
ELEANOR BAILEY/STAFF ELEANOR BAILEY/STAFF
Mindy Lascheid sits at the organ that her father, Vince, Sean King and Jack Beggy sign a salute after performing played for 30 years at St. Bernard Church. Students from the national anthem. Students from St. Bernard School in the elementary school in Mt. Lebanon will sign the naMt. Lebanon signed the national anthem at the Pittsburgh tional anthem at the Pittsburgh Pirates game Sept. 18 as a Pirates game Sept. 18 as a tribute to former organist Vince tribute to Mr. Lascheid, who also played the organ for the Lascheid. baseball team.
Evelyn Way sign to be reinstalled in Peters Twp. By Terri T. Johnson Regional Reporter tjohnson@thealmanac.net
Evelyn Jozefkowicz never had children, but when she died Aug. 10, well into her 90s, her obituary could have listed the names
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of thousands of children whose lives she touched as a 60-year employee of the Peters Township School District. She began employment in the district in the 1950s as a playground monitor, eventually moving to the high school cafeteria and spending the final three de-
Roamin’ the South Hills Taste of the Town helps local girls. Page A12
©2013 Observer Publishing Company
cades, in all types of weather, as a crossing guard ensuring the safety of the students, teachers, staff and parents. Her post was at the entrance to McMurray Elementary School. To honor her dedication to the district, a small sign was erected at the school’s entrance, but due
Across South Hills....... A14 Classifieds.................B6-14 Deaths............................. A7 Deed Transfers............... B5 Editorials......................... A4 Entertainment................ A6 Opinion........................... A4
to a “glitch” in district policy, the sign was removed three months before her death. Addressing the Peters Township School Board during a regular meeting Sept. 16, Sharon Lutz of Bellwalt Drive told the board she was representing the family in an effort to have the sign speci-
Milestones.................... A13 Religion........................... A2 Seniors............................ A2 Sights & Sounds........... A6 Sports........................... B1-3 Together........................ A12
fying Evelyn’s Way reinstalled. “It was Evelyn’s way at Evelyn’s Way,” Lutz said, her voice often breaking with emotion. She said the family was more than willing to pay to have the sign reinstalled. SEE PT PAGE A9
Fast and fresh
Depth at running back a big plus for USC. Page B1