MONESSEN - Monessen Elementary Center students are taking reading to a whole new level of success. A study last year of kindergarten and first grade students using the Fast ForWord reading program made significant gains and increased their reading fluency by 58 percent. Reading coaches Debra Kozar and Ann Ghinassi presented the results of the Fast ForWord study to the school board Tuesday night to show how successful the program has been. Kozar, who is also the instructional technology coordinator, said the elementary students are screened three times a year to check on their progress. This is the fourth year the district has participated in the Fast ForWord reading program, which is part of the Scientific Learning Corp. The reading program is computer-based. The board commended the elementary teachers and students who have made the program a success. In other business, the board hired substitute teachers for the new academic year, which is scheduled to begin Aug. 22. Elementary substitute teachers hired last night are Diane Schmitz, Joann Barton, Lisa Latkanich, Mandy Lutska, Lisa Natale, Deana Cline, Heather Berneisen and Paula Sabo. High school substitute teachers are: Pat Galaski, Eric Manko, Jocelyn Necciai, Candis Kelley, Amy Murphy, Matthew Byron, Patricia Hallam and Robert Brett. The following were named classroom assistants: Lucille Biseda, Michelle Francowic, Katie Bradley, Connie Haney, Bridgette Stanisz-Hencye, Chanae James, Wendy Wade, Amy Cooper, Tina Lee and Alyce Aldrich. The board also: nAccepted Tobitha Sasso's resignation as a middle school language arts teacher and hired Jo Beth Urcho to replace her. nHired Matt Byron and Nicole Turkovich as base substitute teachers and Cynthia A. Moore as a long-term substitute for Title I reading for the first semester.

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