District to help with crossing guard pay

Jan. 6, 2010

By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

Crossing guards may have to pass a few tests in order to oversee the safety of New Castle students.

Starting this month, the school district will split the guards’ salaries with the city. School board member Fred Mozzocio said he wants the guards drug tested and to receive clearances, which allow them to interact with the students.

Business manager Joseph Ambrosini said he and Superintendent George Gabriel will meet with Mayor Anthony G. Mastrangelo to discuss the proposal.

“I’m sure they’ll be able to work with us on that,” Ambrosini said.

Three years after being declared financially distressed, the city directed the district to contribute half of the total costs. The school system will contribute approximately $30,500 toward the 11 crossing guards’ annual pay.

The guards serve under the city’s police department as outlined in the Third Class City Code. The code says the city and school district determine a ratio by which the guards are compensated. Previously, the city absorbed the costs with no contributions from the school district.

When first approached by the city, Ambrosini attempted to negotiate a lower amount. City officials would not accept less than 50 percent, Ambrosini said. Under the city code, when neither side can agree to a ratio, the costs are divided evenly.

Mozzocio pushed for the additional conditions in last month’s regular school board meeting.

“I don’t think we want them to be our employees, but we don’t want somebody who is not drug tested crossing our kids,” he said.

Police Chief Thomas Sansone said a “quick background check” is performed.

“They are not drug tested, and they do not have clearances,” Sansone said. “We haven’t had to hire but one or two substitutes for quite a while.

“The regulars have stayed there.”

Last month, the school board passed an agreement with the city contingent on addressing the testing and clearance issues.

Regardless of the school district’s stance, the city can reject its proposal. The city code allows for the guards’ hiring and salaries to be transferred to the school district.

“At this point, I don’t think they want to do that,” Sansone said.