Penn-Trafford interviews for 2 positions

Interviews continued Monday as the Penn-Trafford School District looks to hire a basketball coach, along with a replacement for Ralph Cigich, who is retiring as the district's director of services.

The person who replaces Cigich will step in to the new position of director of structural support services. Candidates for that job were interviewed last night.

Board President John Willforth said he hopes to have a person on the job before Cigich leaves. Cigich said in January his last day will be in July, although his retirement will not take effect until Sept. 5.

"We'd like to get somebody pretty quickly, because Ralph's only got another couple of months here and we want some overlap," Willforth said. "That's absolutely important, because it's a complex job."

Cigich has been with the school district 34 years, 20 in his current position.

Interviews took place before last night's board meeting for a basketball coach to replace Bernie Matthews, who resigned after two years in the position.

"We had three interviews. The board got to listen to them," Willforth said. "We haven't decided on it yet."

In other business, it was reported that supplies will start arriving at Penn-Trafford High School Wednesday in preparation for replacing the roof.

On Monday, "they will begin to vacuum the roof of the rocks and the gravel on the auditorium and the gymnasium and the back areas, anywhere that won't affect students," Cigich said. "The contractor is ready, he wants to start, he's eager and they will start next week."

The hope is to have the project completed before school begins in the fall.

In March, school directors awarded the contract for repairs to Miller-Thomas-Gyekis of Pittsburgh for $1,897,997. It was the lowest of six bids the district received.

"We really came out good on that one, because it was possibly a $3-plus-million job," Willforth said.

The roof -- which was last replaced in 1990 -- has been experiencing problems with leaks, especially during heavy rain.

Cigich has said in the past that a comparable rubber roof usually lasts about 15 years.