Brooke scholarship supporters honored

WELLSBURG - Through the efforts of the Brooke County Schools Education Foundation and Wheeling-Nisshin Inc., numerous Brooke graduates have been able to further their education, and Brooke County school officials on Tuesday recognized two key figures in that effort.

Assistant Superintendent Marty Bartz noted the foundation raised $7,000 in scholarships in its first year but the amount generated through the sponsorship of businesses, civic groups and individuals has risen gradually over the last 25 years,with $95,450 awarded last year.

As a result, the group has surpassed the $1 million mark, with still more funds to be announced at Brooke High School's annual scholarship night in May.

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Marty Bartz, left, Brooke County assistant superintendent, and the county's school board expressed appreciation to Anthony Paesano, founder of the Brooke County Schools Education Foundation, and Wheeling-Nisshin Inc., represented by Chairman Noboru "Ricky" Onishi, for efforts to provide college scholarships to Brooke graduates. - Warren Scott

Bartz noted Tony Paesano followed up a 42-year association with Brooke County Schools, including 15 years as high school principal and 10 on the school board, by launching the foundation.

Paesano said he was bothered by a number of Brooke graduates who weren't going on to college at the time.

"I knew they had the intelligence but they didn't have the money and they didn't go," he said.

Paesano noted a football scholarship enabled him to attend Duquesne University.

"Someone helped me, and I never forgot that. Giving back - that's the whole thing," he said.

Paesano acknowledged other community members who have supported the foundation.

Since he stepped down as president in recent years, his daughter, Superintendent Toni Paesano Shute, has taken over.

"Together we went after the money and believe me, that wasn't easy, but with neighbors like Wheeling-Nisshin, it was easier," Paesano said.

Bartz noted Wheeling-Nisshin also has consistently provided opportunities for Brooke alumni to attend college by awarding $231,000 in scholarships over the last 25 years.

Bartz also presented a certificate of appreciation to Noboru "Ricky" Onishi, chairman of the steel firm, which began as a joint venture of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel and Japan's Nisshin Steel. Onishi has been with Wheeling-Nisshin for 26 years, nine of them as chief executive officer before becoming chairman more recently.

Bartz told him, "Domo arigatou gozaimasu," which is Japanese for "Thank you very much."

Onishi said he accepted the thank you on behalf of all Wheeling-Nisshin's employees.

"What we have done for this county is no comparison to what you have done for us," he told the board, adding he appreciates the welcome they received when the company opened in Follansbee in 1986 and the cooperation of local officials over the years.

In other business, the board approved three sets of levy rates for the 2016-17 fiscal year. Based on $100 of assessed property value, they are:

For the general fund: 19.40 cents for Class I property; 38.80 cents for Class II property; and 77.60 cents for Class III and IV property.

For the school board's five-year operating levy: 22.95 cents for Class I: 45.90 cents for Class II; and 91.80 cents for Classes III and IV.

For the bond issue: 3.62 cents for Class I: 7.24 cents for Class II; and 14.48 cents for Classes III and IV.

James Hervey, board treasurer, said rates for the general fund and operating levy haven't changed from last year, and those for the bond issue are lower. He said while assessed property values in the county have risen overall, the rates were dropped to reflect no increase in taxes as promised by the board before the bond issue was approved by voters.

The 15-year bond issue was introduced to generate $15 million to be used with state funds to build a new middle school near the high school. This week and last the board approved about $22,000 in change orders for the project.

Rob Robinson, facilities supervisor, said the work includes the installation of a catch basin to collect runoff north of the school's site and to fill small areas where the soil is less stable with gravel and a dense woven fiber.

The board also:

Granted a request from Wellsburg Police Officer Micah Knisley to use local schools to train the city's new police dog in search and active shooter scenarios outside regular school hours. Knisley said he would like to use all of the schools so the dog will become familiar with the buildings in the event it is needed in a real situation.

Approved the hiring of Mildred Prantil and Beth Heck as substitute teachers; Charlotte Bailey as a cook at the high school; Jana Bruno as a secretary at Franklin Primary School; and Tiffany Staffileno, Robert Forrester and Linda Truex as bus drivers.

Accepted the resignations of Jason Williamson as head football coach at Wellsburg Middle School; Marilyn McGowan, business teacher at the high school, who is retiring; and Nancy Deters, head principal at Follansbee Middle, who is retiring.

Last week the board also accepted the resignations of Joe Starcher, career technical director; his wife Michelle, a teacher at Millsop Primary; and Richard Suddoth, a bus driver, all for retirement.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)

Source: Brooke scholarship supporters honored