Wednesday, August 26, 2009

New Castle school district to hear choices for buildings

June 10, 2009

By Patrick E.Litowitz
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

Two options offer a number of choices for a group reviewing the New Castle school district’s building needs.

The committee — featuring board members, administration and district residents — will recommend to the school board whether the district should renovate, add, alter or maintain its facilities. Its decision could come as early as June 22, when the group meets next.

Earlier this month, Eckles Architecture and Engineering provided eight proposals but focused on two: modernizing the kindergarten and primary centers or building a new primary center and renovating the current kindergarten center.

“Current primary facilities date back to over 45 years and are in need of both programmatic and physical upgrades due to a natural progression in educational delivery, spatial needs and material wear,” Eckles’ David A. Esposito wrote in his interim report.

It is not a simple matter of selecting Choice A over Choice B.

The cost can run as low as $5.7 million to modernize Harry W. Lockley Primary Center, with the state reimbursing the district $3.7 million.

On the high end, the project would total $32.7 million. That would allow for an overhauled kindergarten center and the construction of a building to hold the district’s first- though third-graders. That facility would be built on a new site.

After the state’s $9.8 million reimbursement, the district’s price tag is $22 million.

The board can reject the committee’s decision, come up with its own plan or do nothing.

Projected enrollment is driving the district to review how it uses its buildings. The state Department of Education, using a 10-year model, forecasts a loss of 500 students by 2017.

Committee member David Gettings suggested a proper gauge would be an 18-year projection, which follows a student from birth to graduation.

“With few exceptions in western Pennsylvania, where districts are growing, the rest are expecting declining enrollments,” Esposito said.

Stan Magusiak, assistant to the superintendent, noted that the state’s numbers traditionally have been accurate.

While enrollment in grades four through 12 is expected to decline, the numbers for kindergarten through third grade are supposed to remain stable.

“I don’t know how you can reconcile the two,” Superintendent George Gabriel said.

Before moving forward, the committee wants to examine additional cost-saving measures. Members suggested finding grants that promote environmental-friendly buildings.

“We need to do a bit of fine-tuning,” Gabriel said.

Felasco’s sentencing hearing rescheduled

Aug. 19, 2009

Gary F. Felasco’s sentencing hearing, scheduled for today, has been moved to 11 a.m. Sept. 8.

The former Lawrence County treasurer pleaded guilty in February to one count of failing to file a 2005 federal tax return.

Charged with a misdemeanor, Felasco faces four to 10 months in prison and possible fines. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the charge was separate but related to a mortgage fraud case involving Affordable Housing of Lawrence County and First Commonwealth Bank.

Brendan T. Conway, assistant U.S. Attorney, sought the continuance. Conway said the government required additional time to file a recommendation requesting a sentence reduction. In paperwork filed yesterday, the government acknowledged Felasco’s ongoing cooperation “in various investigations.”

U.S. District Judge Gustave Diamond approved the request.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Felasco requests probation next week

Aug. 13. 2009

By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

Gary F. Felasco has asked a federal judge to place him on probation as punishment in a tax evasion case.

The former Lawrence County treasurer pleaded guilty in February to one count of failing to file a 2005 federal tax return. U.S. District Judge Gustave Diamond will sentence Felasco at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 20.

Felasco’s attorney, James J. Ross, said his client’s cooperation and “extraordinary acceptance of responsibility” warranted a reduced sentence. He made the request July 29.

Charged with a misdemeanor, Felasco faces four to 10 months in prison and possible fines. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the charge was separate but related to a mortgage fraud case involving Affordable Housing of Lawrence County and First Commonwealth Bank.

According to Ross, Felasco met with federal investigators prior to entering state prison in August 2006.

The initial meeting took place after his May 2006 conviction on state charges of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, misappropriation of entrusted property, embezzlement and conflict of interest. Felasco served one year in prison but remains on parole until 2013.

“From the very outset, (Felasco) has cooperated with the United States in an ongoing investigation since that time,” Ross wrote. “He has met with Federal Agents on a number of occasions of very lengthy debriefings and has provided information that led to the indictment of ... other individuals.”

Three county residents have been charged in the Affordable Housing scandal.
Anthony J. Staph Jr. of 132 Firestone Drive, Neshannock, pleaded not guilty July 21 to one count of bank fraud. Pretrial motions in his case will take place Oct. 30.

Robert Ratkovich of 512 Norwood Ave. pleaded guilty July 28 to one count of bank and mail fraud conspiracy and one count of money laundering conspiracy. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 28.

A federal grand jury indicted Nicholas DeRosa, 64, of 221 N. Cascade St. on one count of bank fraud, two counts of mail fraud and one count of money laundering conspiracy. His arraignment is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Aug. 31.

Ross noted that Felasco is unable to pay fines that may be assessed. The attorney asked Diamond to consider community service as an alternative.

“(Felasco) wants to make it perfectly clear that he is not attempting to shun his responsibility here,” Ross wrote.

The government is not seeking restitution of the $10,000 owed for the 2005 tax year.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

DeRosa fraud hearing postponed

August 3, 2009

By Patrick E. Litowitz
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

The possibility of a presidential appointment delayed a New Castle man’s arraignment in federal court.

Nicholas DeRosa’s scheduled appearance yesterday in Pittsburgh has been moved to 9:30 a.m. Aug. 31 before U.S. Magistrate Amy Reynolds Hay.

A potential conflict of interest arose between DeRosa and his attorney, Efrem M. Grail of Reed Smith LLP in Pittsburgh. Grail is being considered for the appointment of U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

“This request is not made lightly,” Grail wrote in his motion to Hay. “It results from unusual circumstances presented by counsel’s unique and sensitive situation.”

Grail sought the continuance Wednesday. Hay approved the postponement yesterday.

“Under the circumstances, it would be a disservice to Mr. DeRosa for counsel in such a position to undertake his representation before this Court.”

A federal grand jury indicted the retired school administrator on one count of bank fraud, two counts of mail fraud and one count of money laundering conspiracy. The charges, announced July 14, are the result of a mortgage fraud investigation involving Affordable Housing of Lawrence County and First Commonwealth Bank.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported July 13 that a selection committee interviewed candidates for the three U.S. Attorney positions in Pennsylvania. The finalists’ names will be forwarded to U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and Arlen Specter, who will submit them to the Obama administration.

The Senate ultimately will confirm the nominations. A decision is expected by mid-August. If Grail is not approved, he would continue to represent DeRosa.

The successful candidate for the Western District will replace Mary Beth Buchanan. Buchanan, who has served since September 2001, was appointed by then-President George W. Bush.

District scores a threepeat with state

Aug. 12., 2009

By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

The New Castle Area School District met the state’s academic standards for the third consecutive year.

In a preliminary report released last month, the Pennsylvania Department of Education said the school system obtained Adequate Yearly Progress status for the 2008-09 school year.

To earn the designation, the district was required to meet or exceed targets in graduation and attendance; academic performance; and the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment test.

“This is a first for the district,” Superintendent George Gabriel said. “We’re ecstatic.

“It validates the instructional strategies we implemented are working.”

The assessment covers third-graders attending Thaddeus Stevens, West Side and John F. Kennedy primary centers; fourth- through sixth-grade students at George Washington Intermediate School; and seventh-, eighth- and 11th-graders at the junior-senior high school.

“We give (the students) a preassessment in line with state standards,” Gabriel said.

The tests are given four times during the school year. The PSSA test is administered in the spring.

“We have a pretty good idea how our scores are going to turn out.”

Students take exams in math, reading, writing and science. The math and reading components are used in determining the district’s performance.

To obtain Adequate Yearly Progress in math, 56 percent of the students must be advanced or proficient in the subject. In reading, the standard is 63 percent.

This past school year, 83 percent of the senior class graduated. The state target is 80 percent.
The district had until Aug. 3 to appeal any findings.

“I don’t anticipate any changes,” Gabriel said.

Parents will receive reports outlining their children’s scores this month.