Joe Cunningham

BUTLER TWP — Joe Cunningham, who’s been director at Butler County Vo-Tech for more than 23 years, retired from his position effective Thursday because of health reasons.

“I’m very proud of that school. I’m proud of the staff. I’m proud of the students,” he said on Friday. “I’m proud and pleased to have served there.

“I’m glad I had the opportunity to afford pathways to the future of the students that were involved.”

Some of the biggest accomplishments during his tenure have been ongoing partnerships with Butler County Community College and building renovations that were completed a few years ago.

Joint Operating Committee members at a special meeting Thursday night approved his retirement and benefits package in an 8-4 vote. Jim Keffalas was among the dissenting votes, with concerns about what he thought was an excessive retirement package.

That package included family health care coverage until June 30, and beginning July 1, individual health care coverage for up to six years.

The package reportedly is valued at about $20,000 annually.

“We’re spending that money on a going away gift?” Keffalas said. “It’s not my money, it’s the taxpayers’ money.”

He would also be reimbursed $481 a day, the per diem rate, for three unused vacation days and three unused personal days. In addition, he was compensated $35 a day for 72 accumulated sick days.

Josh Price of Karns City and Eric DiTullio and Jim Nickel of Seneca Valley also voted against the retirement.

Domenic J. Ionta was named acting director of the vo-tech, and will work part-time through the end of the school year. Tom Breth, solicitor, said the operating committee will likely vote on a search committee for a new director at next month’s meeting.