Midd-West names superintendent

By Tricia Pursell
The Daily Item

November 18, 2008 06:02 am

— MIDDLEBURG -- The Midd-West school board hired a superintendent Monday night.
Wesley L. Knapp, who holds a doctorate, will assume his duties Dec. 1. The position has been filled most recently by acting superintendent James P. Hartman, who began his interim work on Nov. 10.
In addition, the board approved a one-time payment of $4,000 to Knapp for moving expenses to a home in the district. The motion was approved by an 8-1 vote.
In other business, a motion was made on obtaining more quotes from area firms for commissioning the LEED portion of the Midd-West High School building project. Lynn Y. Naugle, business manager, said three pre-qualified competitive bids were received after a request for proposals was sent to seven firms. The board voted down a motion to continue farther with the request process until legal consultation is provided for the bids already received.
In response to a possible conflict of interest from one of the firms, board solicitor Orris C. Knepp III suggested that the district do further research on the bids received. "You need to circulate this stuff past legal counsel," he said.
The board decided to seek legal help in reviewing the request for proposals and the three qualified competitive bids already received, according to the standards of that request.
"If they meet those standards ... then they (legal counsel) can give you their recommendation," Hartman said.
Also on the agenda was the recognition of the Midd-West High School boys soccer team, which advanced to the PIAA final four this season, eventually losing to the state's runner-up. Varsity coach Chris Sauer expressed his appreciation for the team's efforts. "The best thing for us as coaches was to see their hard work rewarded. It means just as much as the championship," he said.
Hartman also presented adequate yearly progress awards to the five principals of the six schools in the district.