Plum School Board approves contract with paraprofessionals union

The Plum School Board has approved a six-year contract with the Plum Borough Paraprofessionals Education Support Paraprofessionals union.

The agreement is effective from July 1 through June 30, 2030. The union represents instructional paraprofessionals, special education paraprofessionals, personal care aides, library aides, registered and licensed practical nurses, swim aides, health room aides and specialized classroom paraprofessionals.

Hourly rates for all of those classifications, excluding LPNs and RNs, will increase from $19.85 in the first year of the contract to $22.46 in the final year. LPN wages will increase from $23.80 to $26.30, while RN wages will increase from $29.30 to $31.80

Paraprofessionals called on to serve as classroom monitors will be paid $20.35 per hour in the first year of the contract, rising to $22.96 in the final year. Paraprofessionals with teaching certificates called on to serve as substitute teachers will be paid $20.60 per hour in the first year, rising to $23.21 in the final year.

District hirings, resignations approved

The Plum School Board approved a number of hirings and resignations at a special voting meeting on Aug. 27.

Michael Gigliotti and William Pazul were hired as bus drivers, effective Aug. 28, at $24.27 per hour. Susan Corrado, a current food service worker, was hired as a part-time crossing guard at Plum Middle and Holiday Park Intermediate schools, effective Aug. 21, for $15 per hour.

Marissa McClafferty was hired as a long-term substitute elementary teacher at O’Block Elementary beginning Jan. 14 at a prorated salary of $52,500.

Resignations approved were Kristin Walling, paraprofessional at the high school, effective Aug. 12; Jaime McGaughey, a registered nurse paraprofessional at the high school, effective Aug. 19; and Gretchen Cooley, food service worker at the high school, Trevor VanRyn, bus aide, and Robert Simpson, bus driver, all effective Aug. 20.

Rob Mascara’s employment status was changed from full-time maintenance to full-time custodian, at $24.75 per hour, retroactive to Aug. 20.

Kickball tournament at Cribbs Field

The Lower Valley Athletic Foundation and Verner Parent Teacher Organization are collaborating to host a kickball tournament.

Verner students in kindergarten through sixth grade will be facing off against Verona officials including police, Lower Valley EMS workers, public works workers and borough council members on Sept. 8 at Cribbs Field.

Village Inn will be hosting a pizza party after the games.

Rosedale Festival asks for donations

Rosedale Beach Club in Verona has put out a call for donations for the pool’s annual festival.

The donation wish list includes various types of soda and paper products like napkins, paper towels, plates, aluminum pans and ziplocks. Festival planners also accept food donations including individual bags of Fritos, taco meat, haluski, pierogies, and sweet and hot sausage.

Monetary donations are also accepted. The festival is scheduled from Sept. 12 to 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. The event will include games, rides, food and music.

Any questions can be directed to 412-616-2132 or italianmamadani@yahoo.com.

Date changed for coffee with Plum mayor, manager

Plum Mayor Harry Schlegel and borough Manager David Soboslay will be available for informal conversations on borough-related topics during “Coffee with the Mayor and Manager” beginning at 6 p.m. Sept. 25 in the banquet hall of the municipal building, 2000 Mike Thomas Way.

The date of the gathering was changed from the originally scheduled date of Sept. 19.

Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to events@plumboro.com.

Plum schedules annual Fall Fest

Plum will hold its annual Fall Fest from noon to 8 p.m. on Sept. 28 at Plum Creek Park, 1040 Ross Hollow Road.

Children’s activities will run from 1 to 5 p.m.

The event will include a farmers market, food trucks, arts and crafts, kids games, craft beers and pony rides.

Plum High School reunions in works

Three Plum High School groups are planning reunions this year:

• The Plum High School Class of 1974 will celebrate its 50th reunion Sept. 13 at Veltre’s Wedding & Event Center, 324 Coxcomb Hill Road, Plum. Details: 412-366-6689 or email plumalum74@gmail.com.

• The Plum High School Class of 1979 will have its 45th reunion from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Edgewood Country Club, 100 Churchill Road, Wilkins. Cost: $68 per person. There will be a cash bar, dinner stations and beverages, as well as a DJ, photographer and raffle. Tickets: Mail checks made payable to Susan DePalma, Plum High 1979, to 3271 Hawk Drive, North Huntingdon, PA 15642; or send payment via Zelle to Susan DePalma. Details: plumhigh1979@gmail.com.

• The Plum High School Class of 1984 is planning its 40th reunion for 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 5 at Hill Crest Country Club, 3411 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell. Cost: $70 per person, includes a taco and fajita station, pasta station, appetizers, Pittsburgh cookie table and cake. There will be a cash bar. Checks made out to PHS 84 Reunion should be sent c/o Diane Fellers, 3240 Dorothy St., Lower Burrell, PA 15068. Deadline: July 31. Details: plumreunion1984@gmail.com.

Teen suicide prevention car show planned

A car show benefitting the Mark Matesic Memorial Foundation will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 28 at Plum High School, 900 Elicker Road.

Matesic was 16 when he died by suicide in March 2022. His mother, Jennifer Martinez, created the foundation, which awards scholarships to junior firefighters and students in the JROTC program.

Registration costs $10 and will start at 10 a.m. the day of the show. Dash plaques will be given to the first 100 cars.

There will be food trucks, a basket raffle and touch-a-truck.

Plum plans fall leaf collection

Plum’s leaf collection program will start on Oct. 15 and will run through the first week of December.

Leaf collection will be the weekday following residents’ normal trash pickup day. There will be no leaf collection on Nov. 11, 28 and 29.

The borough says it could change if winter storm events occur which would cause leaf collecting equipment to be switched over to winter maintenance equipment.

PALS to resume meetups Sept. 4

The Plum Area Ladies Society will have its first meeting of the new season at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Plum Community Center.

The speaker will be Missy Counahan. She will share a PowerPoint presentation of Twilight Make a Wish, an organization that grants wishes to seniors.

The monthly service project will be to donate money to help the Twilight organization fulfill some of those wishes.

Donations of paper goods and cash for the Plum Food Pantry also will be accepted.

Annual dues of $25 may be paid at the meeting. The theme for the Friendship Basket is “Anything Goes.”

For the Ladies Day Out, PALS members are invited to attend Karaoke Night from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 11 with DJ Jim Barnett at the Plum Community Center. Members are encouraged to bring snacks and drinks.

The women’s club is open to residents of Plum, Penn Hills, Monroeville and the surrounding communities.

Newcomers are welcome to attend a monthly meeting, which are held at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, September through April, at the Plum Community Center.

For details, call Mary Lou at 724-327-8265.

Group offers support for weight loss

All are welcome to join the men and women at Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) who are learning how to lose weight.

With in-person meetings, rewards, support and encouragement, we gain knowledge of healthy eating and exercise.

You may visit with no obligation Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. in Oakmont. Weigh-in is private followed by a brief business meeting, sharing time, and educational program all ending by 7:15.

There is well-lit parking, wheelchair accessibility and security. For details, call 412-828-3854 or e-mail jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Verona Farmers Market sets up Thursdays

Verona’s seasonal farmers market has kicked off into full swing. Hosted every Thursday until Nov. 21, each market features a list of local vendors.

For special announcements about the market, visit the Verona Farmers Market Facebook page.

Assistance available for veterans, spouses

State Rep. Joe McAndrew’s office, 77 Universal Road, Suite 1, in Penn Hills provides free assistance to veterans and their spouses from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the last Wednesday of every month.

A veteran service officer from the American Legion will be on hand to help with a variety of needs, including compensation and pension claims, education benefits, enrollment in the VA health care system, burial and survivor benefits, state benefits, and obtaining military personnel and medical records.

There are limited appointments available for August. To make an appointment, call 412-793-2448.

McAndrew’s 32nd District covers Plum, Oakmont, Verona and Penn Hills.

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