|
|
West Branch School Board members hear from CIU director
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
By Annie Lynn Staff Writer
ALLPORT - Members of the West Branch School Board heard last night from Dr. Hugh Dwyer, director of Central Intermediate Unit No. 10.
He spoke of the relationship of CIU with West Branch Area School District. He said CIU offers more than 70 services at no cost to the schools. He also noted CIU is the liaison between schools and the state Department of Education.
The board also heard from Cheyenne Moore, a student in Joe Matson's eighth-grade civics class, who explained she is one of six students from the class competing in the nationwide environmental 2009 Lexus challenge that focuses on water pollution, acid mind drainage, the impact of natural gas drilling and related topics. She said the goal of the class is to analyze the ways water has a direct impact on the lives of local citizens.
She gave an update on the progress of their project, saying they have attended a Trout Unlimited meeting, have met with State Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-74 Houtzdale, and have contacted state Sen. John N. Wozniak's, D-35 of Johnstown, office about legislative action, especially concerning how natural gas drilling affects PA. They visited a water treatment plant and plan to visit the project 70 mine abatement project.
She asked the board for permission for Trout Unlimited to use a classroom occasionally to hold educational meetings with students and staff. A motion passed to grant permission.
Bill Woolworth, representing security, spoke to the board concerning problems security personnel is having with the ability to communicate effectively with each other during school activities, such as at football games. He explained they have radios, but they often don't work. Also, their cell phones don't always work and are difficult to use in a crisis. He then noted some things that are happening at events, which are causing concern. He asked the board to purchase new radios and presented specifications.
Board President Joseph Kovalcin said they would have to seek bids for the radios, and they would not be able to do anything until the bids were in.
A motion passed for Business Manager Jason McMillen to seek bids.
Carla Reitz addressed the board and asked to be placed on the agenda for the November board meeting. She said she is concerned about the overwhelming size of the learning support classes and wants to address the board then about the matter in an effort to raise public awareness about the problem. Permission was granted.
Athletic Director Dave Williamson reported on various accomplishments of West Branch student athletes, saying that Brandon Speigle went more than 1,000 yards rushing for the 2009 football season. He also noted that the girls' soccer team played last night in the inter-county conference
championship game at Everett, saying West Branch is the Northern Division champion. He added that the girls will compete Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the District VI quarter finals at Hollidaysburg. The volleyball team will compete Saturday in the inter-county conference championship game at McConnellsburg. West Branch is the Northern Division champion.
Williamson said volleyball coach Terry Trude accumulated his 300th career coaching victory at the Elk County Catholic tournament, where West Branch was crowned the champion, winning its third tournament of the season.
Also, Rebecca Kephart, soccer goaltender, set the single season shutout record with nine, and Mariah McDowell is the new volleyball kills record holder with 909. Williamson remarked, "There are a lot of good kids at West Branch."
Paul Carr, representing the band boosters, approached the board, noting the boosters had followed the request of the board to get together with the football boosters to reach an agreement about concessions at the football games. He said they worked together on an agreement but the
board had voted against it. He asked if the board would vote on the matter again.
Later in the meeting, member Mary Ann Couteret voiced concern about the matter saying, "We need to support both." She noted that was teamwork.
Elementary Principal Sean Wechtenhiser reported the elementary Halloween parade will be Friday at 1:15 p.m. and the doors will be open at 12:45 p.m.
Superintendent Michael Panek thanked high school Principal Joe Holenchik and teacher Brandy O'Hare for the seminars they presented Oct. 12 about in-service. He also thanked Dr. Dwyer for his work. He informed the board that he and McMillen were able to secure a
grant from Walmart Distribution Center for $4,600.
McMillen spoke of three requests for bus stop changes. Motions then passed to approve changes on Gray Hollow Road and Pine Street in Allport. A motion to defer a decision on the third request was passed.
In items under personnel concerns the board approved: - Paula Pash as cheerleading volunteer and Mark Russell, Lisa Woods, Jennifer Ferringer and Margaret Phelps as district volunteers.
- the following substitutes: Matthew Lobb, social studies; Brian Gormont, emergency permit; and Alexis Pino, emergency permit.
- the following personnel to various conferences: Rhonda Hansloven, Sue Betts, Sarah Ewing, Amanda Harris, Danielle Gregory, Cheryl Green, Michele Guerra, Rhonda Trude, Laurie Josephson, Karl Hoover, Karen Kochkodin, Wendy Timblin, Jane McDowell and Angie Lucas.
- recognizing Karl Hoover, secondary technology teacher, being placed on step three, B plus eight.
- appointing Paul Carr as an alternative representative to the Clearfield County Earned Income Tax Collection Committee.
- employee No. 831 to continue maternity leave until the end of the 2009-10 school year.
- Dave Learish to mentor Hoover for the 2009-10 school year.
- reappointing Connie Shimmel, furloughed personal care aide, to the district at the current contractual rate.
- Megan Albert, Mary Iberrson, Dean Swatsworth and Amberly Stoudt as student teachers from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.
- Amy Godin as part-time elementary cafeteria worker.
- Leona Maney as elementary hall monitor.
- Ken DeGennaro as district technology administrator.
Under transportation and athletics concerns the board approved: - Jane Cantanzaro from junior high boys' assistant basketball coach to assistant varsity girls' basketball coach.
- Scott Slippey from assistant varsity wrestling coach to assistant junior high wrestling coach.
- Steve Sudik from assistant junior high wrestling coach to varsity assistant wrestling coach.
- Trude as junior high assistant boys' basketball coach.
- Danny Clark as the assistant varsity boy's basketball coach.
- The following volunteers for the winter athletic season: Chad Koleno, Kevin Hubler, Russell Krise and Jolene Wesesky, boys' basketball; Dennis McCamley, Adam Carr, Judy Larson and Misty Modzel, girls' basketball; and Nathan Owens, Jared Ricotta, David Williamson and Gary Parks, wrestling.
- all winter athletic bids for 2009-10 season.
In other business, the board approved am/pm 24 and am/pm 04 as presented.
|  |
|
|
|
