Plum School District business manager gets a new contract

Plum School District officials inked a new four-year deal with their business manager.

The board unanimously approved the contract with John Zahorchak at its Aug. 21 meeting.

“You have done yeomen’s work in bringing this district out of some very difficult financial times,” Superintendent Brendan Hyland said.”You are a value to this district that goes beyond dollars.”

Zahorchak, 41, of Johnstown began his career with the district in September 2016. His previous deal was three years at a starting salary of $98,000.

It jumped to $108,768 the final year, which included a $4,800 stipend as board secretary. He has since resigned that position.

His new salary will be $117,500 for the 2018-19 school year with raises of 2.5 percent built in the next three years.

Board President Steve Schlauch commended Zahorchak with his work in transportation, food service and his primary role as finance administrator.

“As far as a number’s guy, he’s as good as it gets out there,” Schlauch said. “We’re fortunate to have him.”

Zahorchak thanked the board and administration for their support. He said after the meeting that the district made great strides and should be in better fiscal shape this year than in the past few.

The district used approximately $1.5 million in borrowed funds, raised real estate taxes by 0.8327 mills and furloughed 26 teachers to close a several million dollar gap in its 2018-19 budget.

Hyland said as of this month all those on the furloughed list either found employment elsewhere, were brought back to work in the district or were given that opportunity and declined.

The year before that it raised taxes last year by 0.866 mills and took out a 12-year, $5.6 million loan. The board used approximately $1.4 million of the borrowed money to balance that budget.

Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MikeJdiVittorio.